Tuesday, December 17, 2013

KIMMIE'S FAVORITES HOLIDAY BLOG BASH WITH MONICA BURNS


AND THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES!!!! 8 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!
PLEASE WELCOME TALENTED AUTHOR AND MY FRIEND, MONICA BURNS. MY VERY FIRST LORA LEIGH'S RAW CONFERENCE IN MARYLAND WAS PIVOTAL FOR ME, IT'S WHERE I MET MOST OF THE AUTHORS WHO ARE NOW MY DEAR FRIENDS. MONICA BURNS IS JUST ONE OF THOSE LADIES THAT I LIKED RIGHT AWAY. SO INTELLIGENT AND VIBRANT, MONICA JUST HAS SOMETHING ABOUT HER THAT SHINES. I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY CONFERENCE SO I CAN GIVE THIS LADY A HUG... OR HAVE A PILLOW FIGHT WITH HER AS WE DID IN THE HOTEL LOBBY AT RT IN KANSAS CITY THIS PAST MAY.
MONICA BURNS


I hope this holiday season finds you well, happy, and joyful in the presence of family and friends, making memories that will last a lifetime. The holidays have always been a HUGE deal in my family with big and small traditions that run from the first of December through the 6th of January. But beginning in 1998, the holidays became painfully bittersweet events for me. When I lost my Dad in 1988 (he was only 52), that first Christmas without him was so hard. My family found it difficult to recover from his death, and it became even harder when my Mom died on December 19th ten years later.
At that point, all the joy seemed to disappear from the holidays. I had a difficult time every year trying to get in the mood because I was longing for the past. Then in 2006 I discovered a different meaning of what the holidays were all about. On December 16th of that year a beloved uncle died. I always try to attend all family funerals, but this one was even more important. It wasn’t just because Uncle Klaus had been so dear to me, because his wife was also my godmother. I had to be there for her and my cousins.
It was a difficult, painful visit, but when I traveled home to Richmond from St. Louis a couple of days after my uncle’s funeral, I found myself rediscovering what the holiday is really about. It’s about giving of yourself and being kind to others. It was amazing how many really nice people I met on my trip home.
  • The lady driving the rental car shuttle who offered my sister and me tissues as we cried together at the loss of our uncle, our parents, our grandparents, the happy times we had as kids;
  • The security guard who laughed when as she asked for my ID, and I responded, “What! You don’t know me! Why everyone knows me!” She was still laughing as she handed me back my ID, and I grinned, saying, “See, you won’t forget me NOW!”
  • The young sailor, who politely reassured me that our flight was delayed, not canceled, as I thought I’d heard.
  • The exhausted stewardess, on her last leg of a 15-hr shift, who joked her way through the usual pre-takeoff monologue;
  • The man with the kind smile who handed me my carry-on bag at my transfer stop, which got stowed about nine seats back from where I was sitting;
  • And the waitress at the Waffle House who looked dead on feet yet greeted me with a smile.
All of these wonderful strangers touched me at a time when I needed to be warmed and healed. They displayed the true spirit of Christmas. As always at this time of year, my family will be celebrating the holiday with our usual traditions.
Traditions that my daughters and husband love and anticipate. At least a month before the holiday, my girls ask, “you are making XXX (there are several favorite dishes they want). There are other important annual activities such as our in-home Advent service, friends old and new arriving for our special traditions and events. But most important of all is the warmth and kindness of strangers who exemplify the true meaning of the holiday.
No matter what your beliefs, I hope you encounter someone who happens to show you a kindness or that you’ll show a complete stranger a kindness yourself. The world with all its horrors could use a whole lot of love and kindness, don’t you think?
Monica Burns




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22 comments:

  1. so glad you got your holiday spirit renewed. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Hi Eileen, I'm sorry to be so late in responding, I was laid up with my bad back yesterday. Thanks for your comment, and I hope you have a great holiday season

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  2. We are still having difficulty dealing with the holidays because of events that have happened over the last few years, starting with the death of our only niece in 2004. Since that time, I've lost both of my parents and we lost our beloved dog, Max. I also lost my job, we had to file bankruptcy and we've lost our house -- we have to be out before 9AM on January 2nd, even though we have no money and no hope of finding a place to live. So, the holidays have gone from the most joyous times to a time full of stress and depression. I have to keep telling myself that we'll get through this but right now, I just don't see how... Anyway, entering this giveaway is a small ray of hope in an otherwise dark time... Thanks for the opportunity!

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    1. Wow... I didn't realize how bad that sounds... Please don't take it the wrong way, I guess I just felt the need to vent... :)

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    2. LadyDi77 Please feel free to vent... I am so sorry you have had such a hard time, I can pray that 2014 brings you luck, health and happiness.

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    3. Thanks -- always glad for any prayers! :)

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    4. I'm sorry to be so late in responding, I was laid up with my bad back yesterday. Thanks for God almighty, LadyDi, venting is definitely needed in your situation. I doubt it helps, but eight years ago, my husband I were in the same boat, he was out or work for 14 months and at the last minute he got a job. By then our credit cards were maxed out, I had one month's house payment less with no bites on house buyers when out of the blue one buyer showed up and paid the full amount. We're still underwater in a number of ways, but our heads break through the waver more everyday. I share all of this with you so that you will hopefully believe that things will get better. You will find a new place to live, even if it's just a tiny little apartment, but you will get through this if you simply believe that God will provide. It might not be what you want him to provide (I sure as hell know he didn't with us, but he did keep us afloat). It *will* get better if you simply believe it to be so. I hope it gets better for you very soon. While I'm sure the holidays will be less than wonderful, perhaps knowing that you have your family to hold close will help sustain you. I'm an optimist. I believe in good outcomes for those who believe in a higher power and accept the small gifts that come your way no matter how terrible the situation. Chin up girl. You will pull through this.

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    5. Monica -- Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have always been an optimist but these last few years since I lost my job have really been wearing on my nature... ugh... I've gotten a couple of signs lately, though. We needed help with getting propane to heat with until we have to leave -- I made a few calls and was able to get help from a local church. That was awesome! We had to go into town yesterday because I had an appointment at the hospital to have my Coumadin level checked. With what little money we had left, we stopped at Steak 'n Shake for their $3.99 meals. Lo and behold, an old friend and her husband was there, too. We hadn't seen either one of them for quite some time. It was nice to be greeted so warmly! When we went to pay our bill, turns out they paid it for us and left us a note that read: "Merry Christmas! We love you both!" It was the highlight of the day! Just goes to show how even the little things can mean so much! :)

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  3. That was a very lovely story Monica. I'm glad you found your spirit again.

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    1. Sorry to be late in responding Lori. I'm glad you enjoyed reading the post.

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  4. I have been a HUGE Monica fan ever since her Order Of The Sicari Series. She ROCKS and it is great to see that after all that has happened to her over the years near Christmas time that she was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and rediscover the joys of the Christmas Season.

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    1. Sorry I didn't respond yesterday Skyla, I've been out with my back injurying. Thank you for such a lovely compliment and I'm always thrilled to hear readers say how much they like reading my books. Thank you for that.

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  5. Thank you for your very touching story, Monica. I come from a small family and lost both of my parents before I turned 30 (their deaths were 10 years apart also). The holidays have always been hard without my loved ones, but each year I find that happiness comes from who you surround yourself with as well as the joy you spread to others. I am thankful for my wonderful friends who accept me and my husband into their homes and make us a part of their family holiday traditions.

    It was wonderful meeting you at this year's RAW :)

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    1. {{{Amy}}} I can't remember your face, darling, but I DO remember that awesome last name!! It's Norse isn't it?? If you're going to RAW again in 2014, be sure to snag me and remind me of this blog!! I try hard to remember readers. It takes 3-4 times before I remember, but I do!

      It sounds like we have a lot in common. My dad never saw my girls, and my mom died before my Baby wasn't even 2yrs old. That's really sad for my daughters because their other grandparents weren't much of grandparents. My girls were more like dolls to them, and being alcoholics, they're now both in nursing homes with no real faculties whatsoever. It's sad for them and my girls, but I know my parents would have been awesome with Oldest and Baby,

      I had a friend who gave me this terrific plaque that reads You are born with a family, but friends are the family you choose for yourself. It sounds like you've got a nice size family after all. :)

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  6. Merry Christmas monica. I hope this year brings you peace, joy and happiness.

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    1. Sorry for the delayed response Janet, my back had me in the laz-boy all day. I hope you have a lovely Christmas as well.

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  7. I lost my parents several years ago -- Daddy in 2007 and Mama at Thanksgiving 2008. I know it's been a while, but each year at this time, I still want to call and talk to them. Hubby was career Air Force, and is now a pastor, so we really didn't spend Christmas time with them all that much. But just knowing I can't call and share with them what is going on, or being able to ask Mama for her fudge recipe ----
    Even so, Christmas is a special time of the year. I'm glad you rediscovered that.

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    1. Donna, Sorry for the delayed response. And I don't think 2007 and 2008 is very long at all. It took me close to 10 years to get over my father's death. I understand the desire to call and talk. I often wonder how different my life would have been if they'd lived.

      I hope you have a wonderful holiday season

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  8. I pillow fight in the hotel lobby. Now that's a sight I wish I had seen. What nice stories of kindness. :)

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  9. Sorry that my back delayed my response, Sheri. As to a pillow fight....what pillow fight? Did I start that fight?? Of course not! LOL I believe Amanda McIntyre was the instigator, but my competitive spirit made me finish it. Poor Kim just happened to be on the hitting end of that encounter. She was such an awesome sport to succumb to my rather aggressive attack. I sometimes don't realize how intense I can be during competition. *sigh*

    I hope you have a Happy Holiday

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  10. Kim, Thanks for having me here on the blog, and I can't wait to party with you again. I'm hoping you're going to RT.

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