Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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December 25, 2009

Thoughtful Wish, Feelingful Gift, Words Are Powerful Things

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 11:56 am

Every Christmas my mom would bake the most wonderful cookies and fudge for weeks. Starting in October, she spent hours wrapping a roomful of the most beautiful gifts — some for kids I hardly knew. She hand wrote and addressed hundreds of personal Christmas cards. And it took her nearly a week to decorate the most sparkling, beautifully lighted tree.

Christmas was my mother’s holiday. She delighted in giving Christmas to everyone in so many ways. For days before and after, people dropped by to be part of the way she made the holiday about sharing. For those who couldn’t come to our house, she made deliveries.

Every cookie, every bow, every card, every tinsel on the tree was a thoughtful and feelingful gift for us all.

Today, I sit with my hands on these keys and realize what I can offer has to be wrapped up in words. So I offer these words to you.

Christmas_warmth_Christmas_gift


May your life be sweet. Here’s a wish that every cookie or sugary treat will remind you of the sweetness in you that I see. Here’s a hope that you bring it out. Share it. Carry it on your sleeve.

May your time be beautiful. Here’s a wish that every gift you receive will remind you of a beautiful moment that you value. Here’s a hope that you capture that memory. Picture it. Write it. Tell it to someone who would know what it means.

May your relationships sparkle with joy. Here’s a wish that every star will remind you of someone who has been a light in your life. Here’s hope that you fill your heart, your mind, and your future with constellations of people who shine.

May you always know my gratitude. Here’s a wish that I can tell you that in person soon.

That’s my thoughtful wish and feelingful gift in words to you.
Only words, but then again, my mom would say, “Words are powerful things.”

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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19 Comments to “Thoughtful Wish, Feelingful Gift, Words Are Powerful Things”

  1. December 25th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
    John Haydon said

    Liz,

    I love how your mom gave to to others in a way that went way beyond what anyone would expect.

    You certainly have carried that spirit with you - with your blog and with SOBCon.

    Here’s to you liz!

    Three cheers!

    John

  2. December 25th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
    Carole Hicks said

    Beautiful words from a beautiful woman. Thank you for all you are to so many. Love you Liz! - Carole

  3. December 25th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi John!
    My mom made Christmas memories for a huge number of people over the years. Someone just told me about the presents she remembers my mom bringing over That’s a legacy as well as a model.

    Thank you for even thinking I might live up to that. So looking forward to seeing you at SOBCon2010.

  4. December 25th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Carole!
    So glad that this added you to my circle of friends. Feeling very lucky about that.

  5. December 25th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
    Malin said

    Wow your mother sounds like such a caring woman! A woman to look up too!

    Happy holidays!

  6. December 25th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
    --Deb said

    Right back at you, Liz. Your mother was obviously a wonderful woman–and raised you to be the same.

  7. December 25th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Malin!

    Thank you for hearing what I was trying to say. I get amazed when I think of all the time she spent doing all that she did. The feeling in our house aT Chritmas was alive with anticipation

  8. December 25th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Deb!
    Great to share my mom with you on this Chistmas Day! Hope all of your wishes are coming true.

  9. December 25th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
    Adam Bean said

    “Word are powerful things”
    Very wise words,thanks for sharing Liz
    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas
    Cheers Adam

  10. December 26th, 2009 at 2:17 am
    Tre ~ said

    Wow. Your mom sounds like my grandmother Mimi :)She was from Michigan. Midwestern women get what makes Christmas :) Your mom did it during December. What a treasure to have that many folks your mom wanted to hug. This blog is your Christmas to us all throughout the year. These posts are your gifts to us daily. Thank you for the bonus “word gift” today. Thank you for the who you are and who you encourage us to be :)
    Merry Christmas to you :)

  11. December 26th, 2009 at 3:02 am
    Harry said

    Beautiful words Liz, altough the cookies come from our supermarket….we hope everyone who tastes them, will know they are being given with love…greetings

  12. December 26th, 2009 at 7:53 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Adam,
    Words connect us to each other in ways that are a glimpse of who we are. They are a powerful sharing tool. That used with care and chosen carefully can move us to be better human beings. Thank you for coming over to read this. I also with you a wonderful Christmas.

    You’re not a stranger anymore.

  13. December 26th, 2009 at 7:55 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Tre,
    Words fall short of ever describing any single human, don’t they? I capture only a bit of the interesting, strong woman that was my mother. I’m glad that she reminds you of your grandmother. That was a hope I had for writing this … to bring you memories of your own.

    Liz

  14. December 26th, 2009 at 7:57 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    That IS it, isn’t Henry?
    The love behind the gift … is what makes the gift sweet and meaningful.
    I agree that if we put ourselves into our gifts it’s no matter who makes them … but how we communicate why they’re given. :)

  15. December 26th, 2009 at 10:32 am
    Philip said

    Liz, thank you for writing that. I’ve noticed something about some people - they give of themselves as a matter of habit. The woman I love is like that, as is her mother. So different from my own family. I’m relearning what it means to participate in life. Thank you for passing along another example.

    Philip

  16. December 28th, 2009 at 11:29 am
    Karen Putz said

    Beautiful wish– and your mom sounds just like my mom.

    May 2010 sparkle just like you do.

  17. December 28th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    What wonderful compliment, Karen!
    Thank you! Can’t wait until my 2010 has you in it! :)

  18. December 29th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
    Suzanna Stinnett said

    Thank you Liz! I feel your warm wishes and return them to you many-fold. Stuck in O’Hare airport at the moment, I’m especially thinking of you and catching up on tweets and posts. So much is rising for this coming year, and I look forward to sharing much of it with you.
    Blessings,
    Suzanna Stinnett

  19. December 29th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Suzanna!
    Happy, wonderful holiday wishes and hopes for you. I so love having you as part of my blog. Thank you for every word you leave here.
    I’ve been stuck in O’Hare. at least the wifi is good!

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