Celebrations, Chickens, Dream Catchers, and Christmas!

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Celebrations, Poetry
Gorgeous flowers sent by my colleagues.

Dear Friends,

This past Saturday was the Celebration of Life for my dear father-in-law. The sun shone boldly in the vast, blue sky and the air was cold in the mid 50s. Not weather for shorts or flip flops, but truly glorious for this special December event. It took a village to make the service what it should be, and the village was successful. The speakers (including me), the music, the memories, and the reception following with delicious food and conversation reflecting upon this ‘gentle’ man who lived a little more than a century all flowed seamlessly.

Verses from one of my poems were printed on the back of the bulletin:

A Life Well Lived

Tears may spill into our days,
but so do the memories
and celebrations
of a life well lived.

Our eyes are open to
the legacy he has left
and the yesterdays that
were shared with him…

so, we will honor his wish…
we will smile for our tomorrows.

About 90 people attended, so you can imagine the many stories gently weaving around each one of us as we talked about our father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend. It really was a perfect day and we knew Wil was present in spirit, smiling and laughing along with us. My husband’s second cousin flew in from Idaho, and she is one crafty woman! She reminds me of my mom and mother-in-law who could skillfully sew, knit, or crochet anything! It was great to see her, but it was also fun to catch up. She’s been working on a new project – crocheting items for Random Acts of Crochet Kindness USA. (Members in this group crochet small, meaningful items that are placed in random locations in their communities for anyone to find. A thoughtful verse is included to brighten the finder’s.)

She brought some adorable and beautiful creations. Here are two that are reveling in the comfort and scent of our tree:

Traditionally dream catchers were made from a willow hoop or calabash covered with decorative fabric on one side and feathers on the other to be hung near a person’s bed. In this way, the dream catcher is said to protect people from bad things that happen in their sleep as well as bad omens during the day. (Googled)
Meet Lorelai!

I have never heard of this organization, but any act of kindness is commended, and I can see how these handmade items would uplift the spirits of many people, especially during the holiday season when not everyone sings, “Joy to the World.” I’ve always loved dream catchers, and Lorelai is so adorable! How can you not smile when you see those purple glasses, vibrant colors, and cute, yellow beak?

Well, this post is coming to an end and will be my last post and day of blogging for 2023. I will visit as many blogs as possible today, but I apologize in advance for missing so many. Unfortunately, blogging has taken a back seat. Our son is home from his 7-month road trip, so we’re enjoying his wonderful presence, company, and humor, and even though Wil’s service is behind us, we’re in the middle of settling his estate and perusing his belongings where more treasures are surfacing. And we can’t wait to see our daughter and SIL for Christmas. I’m sure you can guess that I’ll leave you with a poem, one from 2020, but words that still seem fitting for today…

A Christmas Soliloquy

The noble fir smells heavenly
Pervading throughout the room
Lights twinkle in red and green
Adding to its festive costume.

Stockings embellish the mantel
Eager to be filled with treats
Garland graces letters in gold
Spelling out P.E.A.C.E.

Dangling to model icicles,
White lights sparkle on eaves
Ornaments shimmer on branches
All this, the stuff of dreams.

But can dreams still come true
After this year, so displeasing?
Amidst the tears and heartache,
Is there room for believing?

I have faith that joy weaves
Its way through the pain
Angels keep watch while Love
Is the magic that remains.

I don’t know your story
The details are yours alone
But I do wish you Happiness
That you may seize and truly own…

As we listen to the marching rhythm
Of the exultant Christmas drum
For these holidays upon us
And for the New Year to come.

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

Just click on the image to purchase your copy,
and if you enjoyed this collection,
please consider writing a review,
a hug for indie authors. 💚

Thank you VERY much for stopping by, and I wish you a peaceful holiday season filled with lots of hugs, giggles, cookies, and carols. The gifts may be fun, but the people, the connections bring the most joy. Sending you all holiday hugs as I continue to keep those who are suffering in my heart.

I look forward to seeing you all in 2024!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! 🎄⛄️❄️🎉
~ Lauren ❤️


119 thoughts on “Celebrations, Chickens, Dream Catchers, and Christmas!”

    1. Thanks so much, Joy! Gail is so talented. I didn’t inherit the sewing or crocheting skill from my mom, but I did inherit the baking. 🙂 I love the dream catcher. If you make one, I hope you’ll share. Merry Christmas! ❤️

  6. I love dream catchers too. My mom, my daughter and I made dreamcatchers while visiting Sedona Arizona together. Such fond memories. Have a wonderful Christmas with your children and husband. We’ll see you in the New year!

  7. Have a wonderful time with your family. It sounds like your celebration of life for your father-in-law was amazing. We were at a 75th birthday celebration for a friend in Marin. The weather was perfect. He had 80 people from childhood, high school, college, his professional years and now retirement friends. I thought about how special it was when his children and his lifelong friends got the mic and he was there to hear their praise and memories.

    1. Thanks, Elizabeth, and the celebration of life was wonderful. It couldn’t have been any better. Did you mean Marin County? That’s where we live! Have we had this conversation before? I don’t remember. 🙂 It sounds like the birthday party was just as wonderful. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

      1. I’m glad your celebration of life was wonderful. We went to a birthday party at Marin CC in Novato. It was our first time there. My kids live in Berkeley so we stayed nearby and our daughter drove us to the party. Happy holidays to you and your family too!

  9. Thank you so much Lauren. Just saw your post as I was thinking of you.
    The poem about your Father in Law is beautiful and touching – how nice that this celebration gathered so many people. It’s a nice way to celebrate one’s life and how it touched us in many ways.

    Lorelai is SWEET! What a nice thing to do and share. I love to hear or read about these initiatives that spread joy and love in a special time. It’s not an easy period for many so we ought to share the magic in a way that it can touch lives.

    Wishing you a nice time with your son and all your family. Enjoy the season, Christmas and looking forward reading you in 2024.
    Much much love and blessings to you all
    💙

    1. Thanks for your warm and lovely words, Marie. My FIL lived in the same house and town for 6 decades, so he knew a lot of people in various organizations, church, activities, etc. He outlived many too, but those who are still around came to the service and it was special, to say the least.

      I’m glad you like Lorelai! I thought she was too cute to not share! And I agree with how you feel about spreading the joy and love in times when many are struggling or suffering. It was nice to learn about Random Acts from Gail.

      Thanks again for the wonderful wishes, and I hope for the same for you, dear friend, and I can’t wait to read your beautiful and poignant poetry next year also.

      Love and blessings to you and yours! ❤️🎄🌹

  10. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar D.L. Finn, Author

    Sounds like a beautiful celebration of life, Lauren. I love the support chicken and dream catcher. Great idea. Enjoy that special family time. Happy Holidays, xo

    1. Thanks for the lovely words, Denise. The celebration of life couldn’t have been any better. We were so grateful. I’m glad you liked Gail’s creations. I admire anyone who can sew or crochet and these are adorable. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ❤️

  11. This is so beautiful and heartwarming Lauren. This was indeed a celebration of life in so many ways. May you, your husband. and your family be comforted and stay encouraged, especially during the holidays. Lovely poems and beautiful sprinkles of kindness. Enjoy the rest of your year and once again, there is no need to apologize for re-prioritization girlfriend. Hugs and smooches! 🤗💞🎄💖🥰

    1. Thanks so much, Kym, for your warm and beautiful comment, and for your understanding too. This post was going to be more simple until Gail gave me her adorable creations. Then I got creative! 🙂 Hugs and smooches to you and wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday, and I can’t wait to see you in 2024! ❤️💖🎅🏻🥰🎉❄️

  15. Such a beautiful post and poem to end your blogging year with, Lauren. I feel so fortunate to have found your site this year and to have become “blog friends.”

    Your family celebration for Wil sounds like it was a beautiful day of love and remembrance. May your holiday season be filled with the kid of light and love you share here, and may 2024 bring more light than dark. Heaven knows, we could all use it. Be well.

    1. Thanks so much, Steve, and I feel the same way. It’s great to make new friends in this warm community. And I enjoy learning about ‘new’ bands and songs with every visit to your blog. I appreciate your wonderful and kind wishes, and I also wish you more light than dark in 2024, and of course, lots of music! Yes, we could all use less darkness. Have a wonderful holiday with your wife and family, and see you in 2024! Take good care. 🤗

  16. Beautiful, Lauren. And over 100. A life well lived, indeed. All of our passings over the last few years have been celebrations of life.
    It’s a neat idea leaving the crocheted creatures around for people to pick up.
    I clicked on your copy and downloaded your book. I look forward to enjoying more of your poetry. Have a great holiday. –Curt

    1. Thanks for your kind, kind words, Curt. Wil’s life was definitely well lived, and we will continue to celebrate him as the days go by, and as we sort through his belongings. And thanks so much for downloading my book. I really hope you enjoy the collection and would love to hear your thoughts down the road. And it just occurred to me that I might miss more elephant posts. But I’ll see if I have an email in my inbox from you…Happy Holidays to you and yours!

      1. Lots of memories, I’m sure.
        Looking forward to reading your poems. I always enjoy them.
        Another elephant post should go up on Friday. This time on how they keep cool with their ears and listen with their feet, plus more. 😳After that there will be hippos, and lions, and giraffes, and crocs. Oh my. Pretty sure you will get the emails.

  17. What a lovely celebration of your father’s life and the perfect poem of yours for this occasion. Enjoy your son and see you in the new year

  19. Sending you lots of Love Lauren, and what beautiful flowers, and tributes along with your lovely poetry … I also love the idea of the Emotional Support Chicken…. Spreading Kindness so important..
    And how wonderful to be reunited with your son after such a long road trip…
    Enjoy your family time Lauren… Its precious… Sending HUGS and Much love for a lovely Christmas xx ❤ ✨💜🎄🕊

    1. Thanks for your lovely comment and wishes, Sue. The service was beautiful, the flowers are gorgeous, and it’s great to have our son home! I loved learning about Gail’s project too. We need more kindness and love nowadays, and I think Lorelai the chicken is most popular. 🙂 Have a blessed holiday with your family and I’m sending hugs and lots of love back to you, dear friend. See you in 2024!
      Stay well and be safe! ❤️🎉⛄️💫🎊

    1. Thanks so much, Michele! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family. And by the way, I still owe you a review for your lovely book which I will post in the new year. With my FIL’s decline and passing, I fell behind in writing reviews on a few books that patiently rest on our coffee table. Anyway, Merry Christmas! ❤️🎄
      (p.s. you might see me on Instagram.) 🙂

      1. You’re very welcome, Lauren. 🌻 You don’t owe me a thing. Family first. I appreciate whatever comes my way. 😊 Thank you and Merry Christmas! Hope the holiday cheer lifts your spirits as you grieve the loss of your FIL. ❤️

  21. Beautiful beautiful beautiful.

    “I have faith that joy weaves
    Its way through the pain
    Angels keep watch while Love
    Is the magic that remains.”
    #metoo #ibelieve

    Merry Christmas, Lauren. See you next year 😉 🤗

  22. I enjoyed your beautiful post, Lauren! Yes, it was a bitter sweet of time to celebrate your father-in-law’s life. It’s wonderful to have 90 people show their support to your family. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. ❤

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this post, Miriam, and thanks for your beautiful words of support. I hope you have a blessed holiday with your family. I know you’ll have fun with the grandkids! See you in the new year! (or on FB) 🙂 💖🎄

      1. Yes, we’ll have lots of fun with the family starting with going to the Nutcracker ballet on Saturday, then Christmas parties, and my daughter’s birthday after Christmas.
        Enjoy your family, Lauren. 😍🎄

  23. What a wonderful celebration of life for your FIL with your lovely poems so beautifully shared. Love the chicken letter as well. His love and light clearly speak through you. Lot’s of love and hugs and so happy it was a glorious celebration. ❤️

    1. Thanks so much, Cindy, for your lovely words. I’m glad everyone is enjoying the dream catcher and chicken that Matt’s cousin crocheted. I think they’re so cute! You may see me on IG, otherwise, Merry Christmas and Happy New to You and your family! Love and hugs too! ❤️🎄🎉

  25. Such a fitting and lovely way to celebrate your father-in-law’s life, Lauren. I love dream catchers and have a couple of them. One we found in a parking lot and I think it was meant to be kept in a safe place rather than being destroyed. Wishing you and yours a joyful and festive holiday season.💟

  26. A wonderful tribute to your FIL, Lauren.
    AND a heart felt positive Christmas and New Year’s message to all of us out here.
    Your poetry is a decoration on a Christmas tree. (Might look good next to that RAK Chicken in glasses)
    CHEERS to you and yours from mine and me!
    ❤️🎄🌟🎉🎶😘🤗🧽💚

    1. Thanks for your wonderful words, Resa, and I love this: Your poetry is a decoration on a Christmas tree. Maybe I’ll print it out and set it next to Lorelai. 🙂 Isn’t she cute? Gail is so talented when it comes to sewing just like you are. Not me though. 🙃 But I look forward to doing some Christmas baking to put together tins for family and friends. CHEERS, Resa, to you and yours! Huge holiday hugs coming your way!
      ❤️🎄⭐️🥰🎉💫❤️

      1. Definitely print it out.. in red &/or green, possibly glue some tinsel on it and hang it on the tree!!!!!!!
        ❤️⭐️🎄🎊❄️❤️

    1. Thanks for your lovely comment, Robbie. We really felt good about the service and reception, not to mention the cold but sunny, beautiful day. I’ll probably visit IG and FB a little, so I may see you there. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a new year filled with more light than darkness. ❤️⭐️

  35. A beautiful post, Lauren, and what a peaceful way to end the year with good memories of the past and new ones in the making. And full of kindness in every way – so adorable. Enjoy your loved ones this holiday season, give nary a thought to screens, and I’ll “see” you in a beautiful, creative new year. Hugs. ❤

    1. Thanks for your kind words, Diana. Things are quieting down now and we’re gearing up for Santa’s arrival. 🙂 I hope all is well with you. Instagram and FB are getting a little of my time if you’re on those platforms too. 😉 Otherwise, I’ll see you in the new year. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday, and Cheers to a beautiful and creative 2024 for all of us. Hugs back to you! 💖⭐️🎄

  37. Beautiful post and poetry Lauren. Your poetry was fitting for the bulletin, and I love the dreamcatcher. I wish you a beautiful holiday season, and all good things for the New Year. ❤

    1. Thanks so much, Mark! He lived a good, long life, and at 100 and the condition he was in, his passing was more of a blessing. We miss him and have ‘toasted’ to him many times during this holiday. I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season! ❤️

  42. Lauren, a beautiful post that is a warm embrace of love — for your loved ones, Will, your children, husband, family and friends. The celebration of Will’s life is touching and what a terrific turnout – I bet the stories told that day could fill a book. Your poem is as always exquisite and through the sorrow of his passing you give us courage to smile as a new dawn begins. Bless!

    Awww … Lorelai is a delight and what a terrific organisation – spreading kindness through crochet! Things like this give me hope for the world!

    Lauren, I wish you a wonderful New Year and may creativity continue to flow for you – another book for 2024, perhaps? with much love xx ❤️

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