When I was around 10 years old, my mother put my sister and I in a summer program. It lasted a week for several hours a day and was pretty much just to entertain us. As a part of that program, there was a crafts hour where we were allowed to paint ceramic figures of our choice. For whatever reason, the options were all Christmas figures – something that in hindsight I’ve been forever grateful for.
The two figures I chose were Santa and a “Noel” candlestick holder. Given my young age, I don’t mind admitting that I did a pretty decent job and from that day when I brought them home, they have been precious to me. As the years have gone by, they became a powerful part of my holiday tradition.
Until that one year when I moved. When the holidays came around, I unpacked the box that was labeled “Santa and Noel” and they were gone. Not there. I went through every box I could find and quite literally tore my basement apart. I couldn’t believe that I could do something so foolish as to misplace them. I had cared for them for what must’ve been 35 years. How could they be gone?
I literally sat down on the floor and cried. It was to be my first Christmas without Santa and Noel since I was 10 years old. But I got over it because what else was there to do?
Fast forward to the next Christmas. I was going through holiday decorations because I was trying to weed out things we no longer used. And to my utter astonishment, in the bottom of a randomly labeled box, there they were! I squealed, but once again was brought to tears (this time with joy) of having them back.
I think every holiday season is one of lost and found. Every year has some form of loss in it. The loss might be small or it might be devastating. Every year also has new found treasures as well. Tiny or great, the beautiful things that have been added to our life must be counted with equal measure to the things that have left us.
As I sit writing this blog to you, I am sitting near the Christmas Tree. The golden reindeer I inherited from my mother are in view and my husband’s most recent holiday floral arrangements are on the mantle. My dogs are at my feet while “Gabriel’s Message” is playing softly in the background. My focus through part of 2020 was on the things I thought I had lost, but now that we’re near the end I see that those losses were temporary. I will get to hug my brothers again. My husband and I will get to travel to our home away from home. And yes, I will go back to my beloved Disney. Just like my Santa and Noel, the loss is temporary.
But what isn’t temporary are the things I have gained. I have changed for the better. I have grown and gotten wiser. I am more aware of the things that matter than ever before. Perhaps one of the greatest revelations to me has been that I have a bigger role to play in being of support to people who are in distress than I ever dreamed I would have. It took pandemic and my super team pointing it out for me to see that.
So, in this moment of introspection, I am very aware of just how grateful I am for 2020. And I am full of faith and hope about what 2021 will bring.
With love,
~Radleigh
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Beautiful sharing and reflection of 2020. In my life too there have been hills and valleys, but at this time of year I am thankful for them all.
Wishing you many blessings – and your Santa and Noel look fabulous! Great job!
Radleigh you are a treasure!! So grateful I saw your info on Facebook this year. I have purchased 2 of your tarot decks (Angel Tarot & Angel Wisdom Tarot) and love them! Have a wonderful holiday and a fabulous fun 2021!!
2020 has certainly been a year of loss for many . But sometimes we have to lose to allow us to gain access to what is for our highest good. As humans we usually do this kicking and screaming.
The pandemic has opened my eyes and heart. It has allowed me to give support for those who are suffering via various form of technology. I have been able to connect with others across the globe.
I give thanks for being able to make these connections.
Beautiful, gentle reminder of what we gain when we allow loss and let go. Thank you Radleigh for all you give us from your heart. And the Santa and Noel are great! Keep “crafting” with that creative, bright 10 year old within.
OMG, that could have been me, sitting there on the floor crying!
Love you so much, Radleigh, you’re so sweet!!
Lots of love and cheers for X-mas!! And a hug and kiss for your
wonderful sacred inner child!!!
xxoo, Julia
What an absolute wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing. It certainly made my day.
You are the best Radleigh.
Lots and lots and lots of love and light to you.
You are not going to believe this but I gave that same Santa that I did in a ceramic class fight about 1975. I did not put it out this year. I limited myself to my decorations. However I may take the time to look for it again. Isn’t that amazing? This is the third thing that has happened in the past two weeks where I had an experience so similar to someone else and I am not a personal friend to either one of them. I’m astonished! I have to think about why this is happening obviously. I do want to say I ran across you quite by accident and I was just thinking yesterday how happy I was that I did!
What a fantastic story You shared with all of Us. I loved the fact that You were able to find them again and share them with all of Us. They are really stunning and it looks like an adult did them and not a 10 Year old so that only goes to show how talented in everything You do. God Bless You & Your Family and have a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
So glad you found them:-) and you did a great job of painting them.
Happy Holidays!
Thank you so very much Radleigh! You’ve always got the perfect way to help me see the good in all., no matter what it is. I’m so very happy that you found your treasured ornaments. I too have lost 2 things that I loved so much but perhaps someone else needed them more? My grandmothers cross I inherited and a silver ring I bought myself years ago and it had a phrase on it in Latin -inside the band it said -“All things are Possible “ the translation. No idea what or how I lost them. Blessings to you ! Happy Holidays! Lots of love
Tammy
This literally brought me to tears reading this story….I as well am grateful for 2020 eventhough there have been some challenging times it really has brought me to become a better person then the year before and I look to only get better from here on out. Thankyou Radleigh, for sharing this story it was so heart felt and warm and appreciated it so much in this very moment.