Good Morning Everyone,
I have been in a whirlwind.  I said to Jim, I can't believe all these days have come and gone.  Do you notice that time seems to be elusive?  This is my season, my favorite season. The Christmas Season!!! And I love to prepare for the holidays.  I prepare early.  Well earlier than most of my friends and family.  It is because I want to accept every invitation, attend every open house at every garden center in our Bucks County area.  Bucks County is just beautiful but at Christmas time, ohhhh.  It just shines.

 So I have been decorating our home for Christmas and attended Bucks Country Gardens and the Rhodes Garden Open House.  I went to Bucks Country Gardens alone, and with my friend Joan to the Rhodes Garden, Robertson's and the Hill Company on our recent outing.  This past Sunday, I hosted 16 of my Special Ed graduates in our home for our Third Annual Holiday Gathering.   I make the phone call, and invite them and their parents, if they wish to attend.  It is OK with me if parents just want to drop the young people off, because the young people know what is expected.    The rules are, you must not share that you were invited to my home, because we can not have everyone and choose not include those students who have not graduated yet.  Attending the holiday gathering is like reunion time.  So they must not talk about me or the gathering on the phone, Internet or any social media site.  They understand.  Then I ask them to dress as if we are going to the Keswick.  They love to get dressed up for this gathering.  Thirdly, I say, your parents will probably say, we need to take something to the Keane's.  If they do, please say to your parents, Mrs. Keane just wants us to bring ourselves and our parents.  She said so.  

So Sunday at 4pm, like clock work, they all arrived, with beautiful smiles.  OH MY GOODNESS, my heart was filled with Joy.  The young people were warm and funny and polite.  Tom and Pat and Pat's brother, Michael came and Tom played Christmas songs on the guitar, while Joan led the sing along.  At one point, the kids asked me to sing a song, (I can't sing) and so I lip synced while Joan stood behind me and sang.  They loved it.  So much fun.  We went around the table and each person shared something about what they were doing presently.  There are 4 birthdays among the group in the month of November.  I said to Jim I think I should get a cake.  He said, you made all these treats, sandwiches, cheese and crackers and dips.  It is enough.   I didn't want to go against him, he is so amazing with all that he does to help me facilitate the day.  But I kind of wanted a cake.  With that, one of my students walked in and has not one but two boxes in his arms.  He said, I went to this little bakery, Mrs. Keane, and saw these two cakes and I just wanted to get them.  That was a blue moment.  How did he know I wanted a cake?   I think it was divine intervention.   When we sang Happy Birthday and cut the cake, we discovered that we had 35 guests and needed BOTH cakes.  God is awesome and so is CD.  I am so thankful CD listened to his heart that day.  

So after the gathering, we had 10 for dinner.  The Zaneski's, Fuller's and Keane's sat down to a crock pot chicken dinner with crab macaroni and cheese and salad.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.

The next day I met my friend Connie at Good Eats, the diner in Doylestown.  Paul and Andrea Markert, Joan's nephew and niece own the establishment and the food is yummy.  Connie was kind enough to treat me to my delicious omelet and it was on the promise to pay forward the gift of being treated to her retirement luncheon by her friend, Diane.  So now I will pay it forward.  Whom shall I choose????  Hmmm

After breakfast, I met up with my friend Susan.  Susan was a principal years ago at our high school and now is living her best life.  She met up with a friend for lunch in Doylestown but stopped here on her way and we shared some tea, stories and conversation.  I KNOW that Susan is a piece of the puzzle in my life.  I don't have the full understanding, yet, but I know she is an integral part of my life tapestry.  

Susan shared a few concepts with me.  And because I believe, Knowledge is Power, and I want to empower others, I will share what she taught me.  There is something called The Most Respectful Interpretation.   Look it up.  Google It.   It means that we will not spend our precious time with others judging WHY they are saying or doing things.  We will honor them by having the MOST RESPECTFUL INTERPRETATION OF THEIR ACTIONS AND THOUGHTS.    We will trust that they are working, sharing, doing for the good of the whole and that their intention is to bring everyone and everything in the moment to its highest intention.  I love it! 

Susan said Marialyce, you and I are a lot alike.   I do agree with her to some degree, but she has her doctorate in education and is so incredibly intelligent and dynamic.  Charismatic really.  I think I pale in comparison.  But it is not about comparison.  It is bringing each other along and helping each other to reach our potential, our greatness, our excellence.    I said, Susan, you came into my life just when I needed you, all those years ago.  I didn't even know I needed you and you were there.  She responded, Oh no, Marialyce, it was me who needed you!   Wow!    I am thankful for Susan.  I said, I don't know what it is, but you give me this something....  This something that I need.  She said, Marialyce, I "SEE YOU."   Not the physical you, but the You, your soul.  I validate who you are and the mission that you are on.  I said, OH YES YOU DO!    I love the AHA moments in my life.  This moment actually turned into another Blue Moment.  Susan and I will work together again soon.  I can just feel it!


Then on Tuesday I had my doctor's appointments.  I was tested for the BRCA I and BRCA II genes for breast cancer.  Results will be in 2 weeks.  I am finding out if this breast cancer was a genetic predisposition or just a freak of nature.  There is no history of women having breast cancer on either side of my family, however, I recollect that my Uncle Bill on my father's side was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was about 65, thirty five years ago.  I will be pleased to know if I have the gene or not, so I know if Shawn and Lindsay need to be tested.  Please God, don't let me pass on something this grave to my cherubs.  I don't want them to have to bear this cross.  I will do anything to keep them out of harm's way.  Please God.

Then I saw Beth DuPree my surgeon.  I love her.  She gave me a good report, although I must say that I am lacking energy and my back bothers me.  I don't know what it is, but am not fearful of any cancer returning.  I am concerned about this woman I work with, Holly.  I am keeping her close to my heart and in my continuous thoughts and prayers.  Please pray for Holly.

Later on Tuesday, I met my friend, Sue for lunch at the Olive Garden.  It is our place  to go.  We had a lovely time catching up and sharing.  Sue is my sage.  She always tells me, Marialyce, let it unfold. Everything will be revealed in time.  And it is......

That evening, I met my new friend, Claudine at the Knight House.  She is a widow and a truly beautiful woman inside and out.  She has two great sons who cherish her and she is a delightful woman.  I think our friendship will develop into a lasting one.

And so, then I began to prepare for my Thanksgiving Feast.  We had 13 here yesterday.  Jim cooked an amazing feast for all of us.  He is such a good man.  He just knows how to do things.  He is calm and patient and gets the job done.  I was in charge of setting everything up and buying a lot of the items although, Shawn and Lindsay made many trips to Giant for things.  We had the four of us, Kevin, Judy, Kelly and Colleen and Trish, Megan, Chris and Allison and my Mother in Law, Sally.

Kelly made delicious desserts for all of us to enjoy.  She is a great baker, always trying new things and is always  successful.  Even, Megan's husband Chris said, that Carmel Apple Cheesecake is delicious.  Thank you for sharing your time, talent and treasure with us, Kelly.  I love you.

Everyone left our home  by 9pm.  It is now 9:30 the next morning and we are just about all cleaned up. It is absolutely the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

And now I will let you in on a little secret.  Jim is off today.   My friend Tim and I were texting, and I suggested that we surprise Jim and Anita, our spouses, and go to Newtown to walk Main Street, tonight and then to Feeney's in Southampton for the beautiful Christmas displays.  The Lynch's and Keane's are on equal footing when it comes to LOVE OF CHRISTMAS.   Our outing begins at 4 today.  I am excited for the adventure.  We will grab a bite to eat in a small cafe and maybe have some hot chocolate with whipped cream.  Doesn't that sound romantic.  We have not been on a double date together since we went to see Elton John when he was in town about a year ago.  I am getting excited.  I love adventures and surprises!!!!

Next week I begin decorating the house on Green Street in Doylestown for the Doylestown Christmas House Tour. 

And so, I have two wishes for you this day.  One is that you decide to view others that you work closely with you with the MOST RESPECTFUL INTERPRETATION. 

 My second wish for you this day is that you can dream up some fun adventures and surprises for those you love.  They make you feel like one of Santa's Elves!    I gotta go find my Santa Hat!
Ho Ho Ho!!!  (smile)


En`Joy,


Marialyce