Ho! Ho! Ho!

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Pat

I can’t believe Christmas is almost here. It seems just yesterday we were celebrating Halloween. I love this time of year when there’s magic in the air. I feel the innocence of childhood looking back at me from the beginning to now, like two bookends.

It’s true what they say about growing old and that we become young at heart. We even take on a familiar semblance of our baby self with no teeth or hair. Haha ― no, I’m not there, yet, though my heart feels young.

Fun comes out and we get to play with the grandkids, see their eyes sparkle and revel in their joyful laughter. We take part in the hustle and bustle, singing carols, sending and receiving Christmas cards and worshipping in our different faiths.

But, oh! The magic of Toyland ― do you remember? As the song goes, “Once you pass its borders, you can never return again”. Continue reading →

Greatest Gift of All: #Story

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Pat

Ah, it’s December and officially the time when we turn our attention to giving and the holy magic of love. Once again, in the spirit of Christmas, I’m honored to be Susan’s guest over at “Finding Our Way Now” with my final contribution of this month’s story.

I hope it will warm your heart and tickle your soul as I remembered a childhood gift of long ago and a special Christmas. Enjoy!

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Greatest Gift of All

In the U.S., we’re in the heart of the holiday season having just enjoyed the festivities of Thanksgiving. Now, it will soon be Christmas. The hustle and bustle is beginning as families around the world prepare to celebrate their special traditions.

Make no bones about it, somewhere in the middle of it all, no matter the culture, there’s bound to be a gift or two.

That got me thinking about gifts and the ones I’ve received down through the years. As hubby and I were talking about it, I tried to remember the gifts I received and only a couple came to mind from long ago. (read more)

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Thank you and I hope you’ll go over to Susan’s site and spread the love.

Pat from the ol’ kitchen table

Time to Give ― Be Grateful ― Reflect

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Pat

Time to give, time to be grateful, time to reflect ― it’s almost Thanksgiving in the U.S. and, like most, we’re busy planning and preparing. But, this year will be a quiet celebration for hubby and me. We’ll be hanging around home eating, watching football games and old Hallmark movies ― just the two of us.

Sounds traditional, but not really, I can already feel the closeness of home and energy of gratitude. I cherish these times together and remember it was just last year when hubby took ill suddenly and was in and out of the hospital a couple of times between Christmas and New Year’s. Continue reading →

Acknowledgements: John Koenig at "The Dictionary of Obs more...

Guest Post 2 at Selections of Reflections

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Pat

Hi everyone — here’s another quick note letting you know I’m honored to be Diana Jackson’s guest for a second time over at “Selections of Reflections” with the following story.

I hope you’ll go on over, leave a comment and share the love.

“Letting Go of Love – Lane ~ Pat Ruppel Says..“

Thank You!

Pat at the ol’ kitchen table

So Simple To Love ― Isn’t It?

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Pat

When I got up this morning, I found this cut-out cartoon from hubby. It was so simple, yet pure, in how he expressed his love for me. It touched my heart and I cried. There are so many ways to say “I Love You” on Valentine’s Day, every day. This one was for me.

Over the years, we’ve just about done it all ― flowers, candy, dinner, wine, cards. In fact, just yesterday while we were out running errands, we were in the store and remembered we needed to get Valentine’s cards for each other. Continue reading →