Another day of weathering the elements to ring my bells for cash. Another day of great reflection. Another day of watching those I share this planet with.

Still enjoying this gig...though today was a little colder than most days. I was wearing a skirt...but a wool skirt and warm tights....where I made my mistake was not putting on extra socks. Standing on freezing concrete really cools the body fast. But I am lucky. I am only standing out there for 4 hours...during which I had someone bring me hot chocolate, and after I get to return home to a toasty warm house. One in which I can sit by a wood stove defrosting my toes and sipping on cider.

This cold weather is so hard for those who are homeless. I can’t even imagine what it must be like sleeping out in this kind of cold. It is the thing I think about when my days to go ring the bells come up. Like this morning. I had a coffee date with my PUC-G Mamma’s. We meet once a month for breakfast and fellowship...I would have loved to have stayed, the conversation was great and the company wonderful....but I had to go. Before I left, however, I was given a gift from one of the mammas. The gift was a book, the book of GRACE.”We love because God first loved us.” John 4:19 (the bible) Photos and scripture...a great combination. Thanks Arlana.

I have to be honest...it crossed my mind to call in and cancel....but really it is such a little thing to give up some time to hopefully make a small difference.

The biggest thing today I observed was the beauty of people. All shapes and sizes, all colours and ages....BEAUTIFUL.

It is amazing to watch people interact with one another....mothers to their children, husband to wife, friend to friend. when people smile things like stress and worry melt away...the world warms and light and colours burst forth...it is an amazing thing to watch.

We affect those around us so acutely.....more than we realize, more than we know. A gesture, a word, a movement...affecting those around us in a positive way or a negative way...it’s up to us.

These are the gifts we give to one another....the light we hold, the colours we share, the love we give.

I stand there for 4 hours on Mondays, all by myself, ringing a bell...yet the time flies and by the end of those 4 hours my cheeks hurt from smiling....not that I am so great, I am a person with flaws and insecurities, just like you. What I get to partake in for those 4 hours is pure giving of my light...sending out my colours to whom ever passes by. A good morning, a Merry Christmas, a smile given to everyone...not just those who give, but everyone who will allow me to catch their eye. And many give back eagerly. Some are more timid, and some are just afraid...afraid of not being enough, afraid of not being worth it. Those are the ones that I wrap my light around and send out the warmth and love that has been place in my heart.

This morning on my run I asked God to use me, to pour The Love into me so I could in turn pour it out to those I came in contact with...and again I was not let down.

my boots

my bells

my gift

Yes, I even received a gift on top of all the other gifts today. The Horticulturist walked up to my gig this afternoon to bring me my late birthday present. Late because it came from North Carolina, from Rosy Revolvers Etsy Shop..check it out... http://www.etsy.com/shop/rosyrevolver

The Gilded Snowflake.

It was perfect...

You know, you never really know how something is going to connect with you when you have not touched it. and on top of it, when your Horticulturalist orders it for you!!! But I have been following Jesse for quite sometime and have come to know that she is a very talented soulful young woman who has a passion for what she does and who she strives to be. This comes out in her art.

And we were not disappointed.

From the amazing packaging to the personal note...it was all so lovely.

And the ring? Well, the ring is perfect....made for my hand, made for me.

there is something special about wearing something hand crafted, not factory made. I will cherish this piece for a life time and I hope to pass it on...to a grand daughter perhaps???!!!! ; )

It’s all about the ring baby!!!

I am thankful for the gifts today....all of them!