The author expresses feelings of “melancholiday” – a mix of sadness and joy during the holiday season, especially on what they call their “First Last Christmas”. The family is preparing for a significant change, as eldest daughter Audrey is set to marry, altering their longtime holiday traditions. The author reflects on the importance of cherishing time with loved ones and intends to focus more on present moments, despite nostalgic feelings.
Category Archives: Musings
Everybody Needs Somebody Sometime
Everyone can help someone. Whatever your role, you may have the relationship that helps someone else find their next right thing. Someone close to you may be looking, may be wondering who can help them discover a better opportunity or a new adventure. Even if nothing comes of it, it’s always worth making the connectionContinue reading “Everybody Needs Somebody Sometime”
I’ve Got a Dream (Or Do I?)
“I’ve got a dream!She’s got a dream!I’ve got a dream!She’s got a dream!I just want to see the floating lanterns gleamAnd with every passing hourI’m so glad I left my towerLike all you lovely folksI’ve got a dream!”— Rapunzel, Tangled Like Rapunzel and the rest of the guests in the Ugly Duckling in Disney’s Tangled,Continue reading “I’ve Got a Dream (Or Do I?)”
Just the Beginning
After Jesus’ death on the cross, the story of love seemed to have come to a horrific, tragic end. To His closest friends, it seemed like the end of a dream. They could not believe, in spite of everything Jesus had said, that there could be anything more to the story. He was dead. Buried.Continue reading “Just the Beginning”
Dinner With Friends
The story of love brings Jesus into close confrontation with the ones who feel threatened by His presence. None of it is accidental, because the Creator has planned this from the beginning. He arrives in a grand parade of palm branches and Hosannas on Sunday, but by the end of the week, it’s time toContinue reading “Dinner With Friends”
Deliver Us
As The Story of Love continues, it is clear why it is the greatest story ever told. The cast of characters, the drama, the intrigue–the passion, the romance, the heartbreak–all of it combines to show the incredible lengths the Creator would go to remind His creation of His love. His chosen people, captives and slaves toContinue reading “Deliver Us”
The Greatest Creation Makes the Gravest Choice
Yesterday, I began telling the whole story of Easter. Not the part where Jesus is alive and everyone shouts “Hallelujah!” The story of Easter begins long before, with a promise. But before we get to the promise, we start at the beginning. Because this story, which I call The Story of Love, begins at theContinue reading “The Greatest Creation Makes the Gravest Choice”
It’s Not “The Easter Story”
The story of Easter is usually told incorrectly by most Christians. We start the story with Palm Sunday and a triumphal entry and Hosannas, then jump to Jesus on a cross, end with His resurrection, and then invite everyone to make a decision for Him. In the space of 30 minutes or so, we presentContinue reading “It’s Not “The Easter Story””
Think Pollyanna
I’ve been thinking a lot about my outlook recently. (No, not my email program, although I do spend a lot of time there.) I’ve been thinking about the way I view things in life. I try to be a positive person, generally believing (or at least attempting to believe) the best about people and myContinue reading “Think Pollyanna”
Following Mary’s Lead Into the New Year
As the Christmas season ends, I like to look at Mary’s perspective. Her life has been turned upside down in the last year. She went from being a young girl excited about marriage to encountering angels, facing expulsion or even worse, death. The government has caused her world to turn upside down, there is politicalContinue reading “Following Mary’s Lead Into the New Year”
Duane S. Montague 