"The Gathering"

I've decided to use this month's issue to share with you the blessings that I feel each Holiday Season. I know that for some of you, it is a time of frustration, stress and anger and I am hoping that by the end of this read for those who are experiencing these destructive emotions will feel a little different, even perhaps, abundant.

What Christmas meant to me as a child growing up in Toronto with parents who came from Europe was a tradition different from the norm. In my home, Christmas was not commercial at all. I never woke up to filled stockings or seeing lots of presents under the tree. In fact, our tree was never real, it was a shiny silver one (my mother liked a lot of sparkle) kind of a Charlie Brown type tree. I usually slept in Christmas day because the night before we had to take 3 buses and a streetcar to our church in downtown Toronto to midnight mass and listen to my father in the choir. By the time we got home, it was usually 2-3 in the morning.

Christmas Day was about family gatherings. It was about the food, oh yes, the food! My mother would wake up at the crack of dawn to begin her cooking rituals. When I would make it out of bed, it would be to the smell of cabbage cooking (for the cabbage rolls of course), mushroom sauce, some hand ground pork for the stuffing or the perogies and this would get the saliva juices ready for what was next to come - Breakfast!

Being the ethnic Polish "Everybody Loves Raymond" household (I say that because my mom was exactly like Raymond's mom) our breakfast table was laid with, are you ready, Chala breads, Rye breads, smoke trout (yes the heads were still on) Head Cheese, pates, plate with lots of sliced onions (talk about waking up the breath) and of course, my favorite Steak Tartar. Now you know why I chose the path of Holistic Nutrition. Yuck you say? Perhaps, but those were decadent times for me. I loved those foods; they were the only foods I knew.

After breakfast and listening to my mother martyr (remember she was just like Raymond's mom) something my dad forgot to do for her, I was allowed to open the one or two gifts for me under the tree. It was always something that I knew I was getting and that was totally okay. Sometimes it was a fancy pair of shoes or article of clothing. My father, who was a tool and die maker, would at times surprise me with a handmade piece of doll furniture to add to my Barbie collection. When mom was not looking dad would pull me aside and produce me with my favorite bag of potato chips or chocolate bar that I would sneak back to my room and eat while playing with my dolls. There was never a feeling "is that all?" because the best part was yet to come. The gathering usually arrived by about 3 p.m. since dinner would be served about 4 p.m. (that's the way we Pollacks like to run our digestive schedules) and by then the table was filled with so much food, that there was very little room for the plates. Brothers, sisters, other family members, friends and neighbours would eat, drink, laugh and share stories. The older ones would share tales about the war. Some would complain about life and then someone started to sing. Yes folks, lots of Polish signing and if my father had enough vodka in him, he liked to perform solo his longest version of some polish ballad. That was when my mother (remember Raymond's mom) would remind him of what a fool he was making of himself and he would just sing louder. It was pretty funny.

These are the gatherings I remember, the blessings I now feel each year as I prepare my own gathering with the ones I love. My mom left this world two days after my 18th birthday and my dad followed her shortly, just four years later. Even though I can bring their energy to my life at any day, it never feels as strong as this time of year.

My message to all is to honor whatever gathering you share this Holiday Season, Love What It Is. If someone is no longer with your life physically, remember that their spirit is eternal and can be with you at any time. Look around at the abundance, make a daily list of 10 things you are grateful for and I promise that you will not feel the commercial trap. Focus on your own personal abundance. LOVE WHAT IS.

This year both my brothers have graciously contributed their thoughts and ideas. I am sure you will appreciate their offerings. The first is a home remedy that will surely help you get the rest you need this time of the year. Great for personal use or as a gift. Sweet Dreams!

• 20 drops of Marjoram Oil
• 20 drops of Eucalyptus Oil
• 10 drops of Peppermint Oil
• 5 drops of Camphor Oil

All of these oils can be purchased in local health food stores.

Place all of the above ingredients in a jar. Place lid on jar and let stand approximately 48 hours to give oils a chance to combine.

Now, every night before bedtime, place jar beside bed, remove lid and enjoy your nights sleep. In the morning, replace lid to ensure hygiene and longevity.

Okay, here is one from the past.

"I bargained with Life for a penny,
and life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening,
When I counted my scanty store.

For Life is just employer,
That gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Then you must bear the task

I work for a menials' hire,
Only to find dismayed,
That any wage I'd have asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid."

Remember to submit your thoughts and ideas because you help make this newsletter happen!

Love and Peace to You and your family this holiday season.