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For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I sincerely hope you had a BEAUTIFUL one!

I did.

Yes, it's been challenging these past two Christmases to feel the spirit because of what's been going on all over the globe. However, I love a good challenge. Therefore, I directed my attention away from all the negativity and chaos this year and made a conscious choice to focus my eyes and heart on the joy, goodness, and love in the world. And what better holiday to do that than Christmas.

One day last week while in meditation, I began thinking of my father and both my mothers, and how they always made Christmas such a special and magical time for us kids. This is the time of year when I miss them the most. So after I finished meditating, I selected an array of photos from my collection of family photographs and placed them on the coffee table so that I could look at them throughout the holiday weekend. One evening I lit some tealights that I placed inside red votive candle holders and then positioned them all around the photos on the table. And as I quietly sat there gazing at the images before me, I began to smile, because I could actually feel the presence of my parents. 

I could feel their love.

And I could feel them smiling back at me. 

I thanked them for being my parents and for bringing me into this world; providing for me; supporting me; and for being who they were.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have had the parents I did. And what was so cool about my parents was that they were very attractive, vivacious, and magnetic. But at the same time, they were modest, humble, and encouraged others to take center stage and be magnetic. They each had an incredible gift for making everyone around them feel comfortable and important. 

But what I'm most proud of when it comes to my parents, was how much they were loved.  

I don't know a single person who met them, who didn't instantly love my parents.

So, that's what I focused on this year -- I wrapped myself in the joy, goodness and love that my parents both received and gave to this world, by doing the same thing myself. 

Just because someone dies, doesn't mean that their goodness and love no longer lives. 

It continues to live on in the hearts of those they loved. 


Today I would like to share some of the photographs I took over the Christmas holiday. 

Please enjoy...

These first three photos I captured in Old City, where they were preparing floats for a Christmas parade...

 
I love how bright and colorful this float is...


Isn't this adorable? It looks like the guy in the green jacket is reaching up to hug the giant snowman...


The night before Christmas Eve, I took my camera to City Hall and spent well over an hour walking around, capturing all the people enjoying the Christmas festivities at Dilworth Park. It felt absolutely wonderful to be surrounded by all that positive, joyful, and loving energy. You could literally feel it permeating the air. It was so heartwarming to see everyone smiling at one another and wishing each other a Merry Christmas. I got teary-eyed. 

This is a light show that was projected onto the beautiful architecture of City Hall..


A double-decker carousel inside the center court of City Hall...



I took this photo because I liked the smoke rising from the grill...




This is a patio area outside the Dilworth Park Cafe that they decorate each year for Christmas. Every table has a fire pit in the center that you can ignite to keep warm...




The Christmas tree at City Hall...




Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year, filled with joy, goodness, and love!

Here's to 2022 🎉💗

28 comments:

  1. This was a lovely after Christmas post, Ron. The love you have for your parents is so apparent and I liked reading about you celebrated Christmas with them this year. Your comment that love doesn’t stop when someone dies was beautiful, heartfelt, and one with which I agree.

    Thanks for posting some of Philly’s holiday celebration, my friend. One day I will revisit the city.

    Best wishes to you for a better and Happy 2022 and looking forward to “seeing” you online then.

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  2. Ron, just reading your words about your parents made me teary-eyed. I love what you said about how love lives on in the hearts of those they loved. So beautiful! And so true!

    This year has been challenging, hasn't it? But like you said, we do have the ability to chose where we focus our attention.

    Your photos are fantastic! I love how you captured such vibrant color, in spite of it being nighttime. Gorgeous!

    Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year, Ron. And thank you for always bringing a "light" to this world. xoxo

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  3. Such beautiful night photos, Ron. It looks like Philly has a vibrant Christmas market area. That tree is stunning, but what the heck is on top of it? It looks like a cat, but thankfully not Hello Kitty! LOL! The light show on City Hall looks really cool. Thanks for sharing such festive photos.

    I had a sad Xmas Eve, thinking about my Dad. We always spent that day with him and my Mom. We watched a family video from Xmas 1995 and he sure did enjoy my kids. He loved decorating the tree and wrapping gifts. I can’t wrap a gift without thinking of his crisp corners and evenly spaced tape!

    I’m so glad you felt the love and presence of yours parents. What greater gift is there than to be loved? Happy New Year, my dear friend. XO

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  4. Oh, my friend, feeling the presence and love of family through those wonderful old photos must have been magical! One of these days I think I'll go through our totes of photos and pick out some special ones. There must be some reason I've been holding onto one empty photo album after donating the others. That could be a fun project for '22... probably need a box of tissues nearby though. LOL

    Of course, you know I love that float with the red lanterns/fans!! A giraffe on the carousel, fabulous! Ohhh, your walk around the plaza at night... WOW!! Those captured scenes and all the glowing lights give off such a good vibe. I'm glad you got to experience the joy of it all.
    Wishing you a happy, healthy, amazing New Year, dear Ron! xo

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  5. Greetings D!

    Thank you. As I shared, what I'm most proud of about my parents is how much they were loved by others - my father, birth mother AND my stepmother - were each a magnet of love.

    "Your comment that love doesn’t stop when someone dies was beautiful, heartfelt, and one with which I agree."

    Yes, and that's what I focused on this year. This year in particular has been very challenging for all of us, however, I was determined to find the joy and love within this holiday, and I found it by focusing on the love of my parents.

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing you and your family a better and HAPPY 2022 too!

    Cheers!

    X

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  6. Morning Candice!

    I swear to God, I spent so much of this holiday season teary-eyed because It felt so bittersweet. On one hand it's been an extremely challenging two years for all of us. Yet, on the other hand, it caused me to seek out the good in the world. And that to me, that's what saved me from being pulled into all the chaos and negativity.

    Thanks! I used my digital camera (not my phone) to take these photographs, so I was able to adjust the settings for nighttime photography.

    Much thanks for stopping by and for you sweet words. Wishing you a faaaaaaabulous 2022!

    Cheers!

    X

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  7. " That tree is stunning, but what the heck is on top of it? It looks like a cat, but thankfully not Hello Kitty! LOL! "

    Bwhahahahahaha! OMG, that freaking made me howl with laughter!!! No.....that's not Hello Kitty. It's the Liberty Bell on top of the tree. Philly has an obsession for two things --- the Liberty Bell and the statue of Rocky Balboa at the Art Museum. That's their claims to fame. LOL!

    I had been meaning to take photographs all month of the Christmas Village at City Hall, so one night after dinner, I grabbed my camera and did it. It was so enjoyable because everyone was smiling and happy.

    And yes, I can totally understand your feelings about missing your Dad and feeling sad, TOTALLY. And what is it about this time of year that makes it even harder, you know? I felt the same way. It's such a bittersweet holiday.

    " I can’t wrap a gift without thinking of his crisp corners and evenly spaced tape!"


    I CANNOT believe you mentioned that because my mother (stepmother) was the EXACT same way about wrapping gifts. She was OCD about it. LOL! And also, writing her Christmas cards each year.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear friend. Wishing you and your family much joy, good health, and tons of LOVE!

    Cheers and X to you!

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  8. Ok, I see the Liberty bell now! But the last photo of it looks like a cat with its paws up on a chimney. See the pointed ears on top and the dark eyes? Or maybe I’m just cuckoo!🤣

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  9. Do what's something? Now that you mentioned seeing pointed ears on top and dark eyes, I actually SEE what you mean in that last photo! Yes...it certainly DOES look like a cat. And Hello Kitty specifically. Meow! LOL!

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  10. Helloooooooooo there, Mary!

    Yes, it did feel magical! I could literally feel their presence around me. And it moved me to tears. I also feel them holding me and supporting me.

    "here must be some reason I've been holding onto one empty photo album after donating the others. That could be a fun project for '22... probably need a box of tissues nearby though. LOL"

    Yes, do have a box of tissues handy because it will most like bring up memories. It did for me. And good memories.

    I KNEW you would love the Asian float with the red lanterns and fans? Isn't it faaaaaabulous? I love giraffe's, so I had to take a picture of it. I love the face of a giraffe. It's so cute!

    Me too, I'm glad I decided to go over to City Hall and the Christmas Village because it really felt great. Like you said, a good vibe!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Wishing your a happy, healthy and amazing year too, dear friend!

    Cheers and X

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  11. Ron, I'm sure your parents read this from above and smiled with pride for you. What a beautiful, beautiful post! And I loved looked at your array of photos displayed on your coffee table. I'm assuming the beautiful lady in the center photo is your birth mother? You look like her. And is the woman on the left your stepmother? She is equally beautiful.

    Your parents sounded like such special people. And what you said about their love living on in the hearts of those they loved is so true.

    Your photographs are delightful. The one of the guy hugging the snowman is so cute!

    Thank you for sharing this today, Ron. Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with all your heart desires. x

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  12. Hey there, Clair!

    Thank you :) X

    Yes, you're absolute right, that woman in the center photo is my birthmother!!! It's funny because some people say I look like her, and then others say I look like my father. I actually think I looked like both of them. My face is half my mother, half my father. LOL!

    And yup, the woman on the left was my stepmother. She was such a lovely lady. Beautiful inside AND out.

    I took that photo when I was in Old City right before Christmas. I was so lucky to get that photo at that exact moment because at first I didn't even noticed that it looked as though he was hugging the snowman, I only noticed it after I uploaded the photos from my camera to my computer.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you a faaaaaaabulous 2022!!!!

    X

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  13. Ron, these photographs are WONDERFUL! You know, my husband and I went down to City Hall when they first opened the Christmas Village and had such a great time. Dilworth Park did such a fantastic job decorating. Isn't the tree stunning? We went inside the cafe and had a glass of wine.

    What you shared about your parents touched me deeply because it brought back so many vivid memories of my own parents. I have a box filled with family photos that I will sometimes go through when I miss my parents. Like you, I miss them the most during the holidays. I have terrific memories of my childhood Christmases.

    Great shots of the floats too! We didn't make it down to Old City this season.

    I am so looking forward to a better 2022. It's been a rough and challenging two years, hasn't it? I think we could ALL use a change.

    Happy New Year, dear Ron! So glad I know you. XO

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  14. Helloooooo there, Elaine!

    Thank you! :)

    Didn't they do a fabulous job this year on the decorations? They really went WAY out this year. Did you notice the ferris wheel that lit up? I LOVED the double-decker carousel too! I had plans to meet up with my coworkers a few weeks ago down at Dilworth Park to have a Christmas party, however, it rained that night so we had to cancel.

    I get so melancholy this time of year, missing my parents. They LOVED Christmas and always made it special for us kids.

    I took those shots one day when I was walking around Old City. Aren't the floats AWESOME?

    OMG yes, it has been a rough and challenging two years. And I think people are starting to get tired of it all. I see a lot of angry people on the streets. You can feel the tension.

    I agree....I am looking forward to a much better 2022! Here's to a positive change!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! So glad I know you TOO!!!!

    Cheers and X to you and your husband

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  15. Oh, what a beautiful post!

    Lovely thoughts, fabulous photos--you really hit it out of the park on this one, Ron!

    I love that candlelight ceremony you described. As you know, I did a similar practice on Christmas Eve and it was so moving and powerful.

    Great minds (and crazy ones) think alike!

    You talk with such love about your parents that they've become real in my mind.

    I feel a little disappointed for not having the pleasure of knowing them. But they sure did a great job with you, so I guess in a way I do know them.

    "Just because someone dies doesn't mean that their goodness and love no longer lives. It continues to live on in the hearts of those they loved."

    What a beautiful sentiment--and so true!

    And you really brought Christmas to light with these fantastic images. I almost feel like I'm walking about with you in all that holiday cheer.

    Great job, buddy!

    Happy New Year and all the best to you in 2022!

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  16. Ron, these are splendid! I love the Christmas tree at City Hall and that carousel is magnificent. What a cool idea, having fire pits in the tables so the people can enjoy them while keeping warm.


    And your holiday meditation sounds like it should become a tradition! We all need to remember those we love who've passed, and your parents certainly sound like people I'd have enjoyed meeting. It's pretty obvious your folks surrounded their home with love ... and you grew up the beneficiary of that. Would that more of our homes were filled with love all the time, not just during the holidays.


    Happy New Year to you, my friend! xx

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  17. Hey there Rob!

    "I love that candlelight ceremony you described. As you know, I did a similar practice on Christmas Eve and it was so moving and powerful."


    Yes! And that's what I meant when I mentioned in my comment to you on your post, that I had done something very similar! Yup....GREAT minds (and crazy ones) think a like! HA!!!!

    Oh, you would have LOVED my parents, I know you would. And they would have LOVED you too. I feel somewhat boastful always telling people how much everyone loved my parents, but it's true, they did. They were lovable people because they had such kind hearts. And I'm so proud of that.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and for you kind words. Happy New Year, buddy! Wishing you a faaaaaaaabulous 2022!

    Cheers and X!

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  18. Helloooooooo there, Debbie!

    Thank you! :) Isn't the carousel GORGEOUS? They have one every year, however, they changed it this year by using a double-decker with a variety of animals. Previously, it was a single carousel with horses.

    It was very cold the night I went to City Hall, so I saw a lot of people sitting at those tables with the fire pits turned on. I loved how the fire gave a beautiful glow to everyone's faces.

    " It's pretty obvious your folks surrounded their home with love ... and you grew up the beneficiary of that."

    Yes. And I feel so blessed to have been the beneficiary of their love. My parents were almost like kids when it came to the holidays (particularly Christmas), therefore, they always made things special for us, which is why I miss them so much this time of year.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Wishing you, Domer and Monkey a very Happy, Healthy, and Joyful New Year!

    Cheers and X!

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  19. Ron, you really outdid yourself with these photos. I loved how you captured the light. That's an area I need to get better at when it comes to my photography skills and nighttime photography. Many of my photos come out too dark.

    What a beautiful post. Your words about your parents went straight to my heart. They sounded like such special people - just like you!

    Did you hear about Betty White dying yesterday? My girlfriend and I loved her television shows and movies. We felt so sad when we saw the news. Your post was such a great reminder that Betty White's love (and humor) lives on in the hearts of those she touched.

    Happy New Year, dude! Wishing you all the best in 2022!

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  20. Hiya Matt!

    Thanks for you kind words. I too had struggles with nighttime photography when I first started. It was only when I got a camera that came with optional settings that allow me to manually adjust the lighting. But trust me, I still have times when I struggle. It's a work in progress.

    OMG...YES!!!! I was at work yesterday when I hear the news. One of the ladies I work with told the rest of us because she had seen it on her cell phone. We were all so devastated (and saddened) when we heard. She was only a few weeks away from turning 100. It's ironic because for the past few weeks I've been binge-watching "The Golden Girls" and thinking how wonderful it was to still Betty White from the show. Last night when I got home from work, I watched several tributes to her. I will miss her greatly.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your girlfriend a faaaaaabulous 2022!

    Cheers and X!

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  21. This was an extremely hard year for us on many fronts. And, it's hard not to dwell on the negative side when life it so busy trying to beat you down. I enjoyed your post today. It's full of optimism which is something in short supply these days. I understand what you say about your parents. Entrepreneur's dad died the end of October and we're all still reeling from that loss. He was one of those people, like your parents, who everyone loved. His zest for life was unparalleled. I love the photos you chose for this post. They are so full of color and I couldn't help but smile when I saw them! I wish for you a fantastic 2022! X

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  22. Hello there, Lisa!

    You are so right, my friend, it has been a rough year for many us on many fronts, and it's so hard not to dwell on the HUGE amount of negativity being thrown at us all day long. That's why I am extremely careful about how much news I subject myself to because it's all fear mongering. However, I'm at a point where l refuse to let it stop me from seeing the "good" in this world and contributing to it. And trust me, right now in this city, it's very challenging to see the good. 😵

    I know what you mean about still reeling from your loss. I remember when my stepmother passed away a week before Thanksgiving, it was so hard that year. It took me months and months to grieve. I even felt it years later.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Wishing you and your family faaaaaabulous 2022!

    ❤️🎉🎊🍷

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  23. Ron, as long as I've read your blog, I could always feel how much love you have for them. I remember when your stepmother passed away and you shared that video you created as a tribute to her. It just emanated so much love.

    I agree, there is so much chaos and drama going on in the world right now, so we have to search deeply for the joy. I'm trying to be more patient and kind to others in my everyday life. I've been making a conscious effort to smile at people I walk by in the mall or wherever I am. And it's amazing how people react and smile back. I think this time in our lives is showing just how much we have in common rather than our differences.

    This photo are WONDERFUL!!!!! I love the carousel, the Christmas tree, and that final photograph with the people walking through the archway.

    Happy New Year, Ron! Thank you for being you. xo

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  24. Ron, the great thing about actors and actresses who do film and/or television, is that it immortalizes. Whenever we want to see them, we can just pop in a DVD or Netflix and there they are, ALIVE!

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  25. You said it, Matt! It IMMORTALIZES them. In fact, I was thinking that several nights ago when I was watching episodes of The Golden Girls. Not only Betty White, but ALL the girls were ALIVE!

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  26. Hola Denise!

    Thanks so much for your sweet words! And thanks for recalling the video I made back in 2012. God, I can believe that was TEN years ago!?! I still miss her.

    And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what you said....

    " I'm trying to be more patient and kind to others in my everyday life. I've been making a conscious effort to smile at people I walk by in the mall or wherever I am. And it's amazing how people react and smile back. I think this time in our lives is showing just how much we have in common rather than our differences."

    YES to all of that! And I've been doing the same thing with the people I pass on the city streets, stores, and customers. I've been "being the change" I want to see in the world. And in doing so, the world changes. And like you, people are responding back. It's such a wonderful feeling.

    Isn't that carousel fantastic? That's new this year. They had one the previous years, but not double-decker.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. And that YOU for being YOU too!

    Cheers and X in 2022!

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  27. I wrapped myself in the joy and love of the season. Ron, that was the most heart warming words I've read since returning to blogland. So very comforting.

    Great photo series. I enjoyed most the family photos surrounded by votive candles.
    http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com

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  28. Hellooooooooo there, Anni!'

    Good for you! I am so happy to hear that you wrapped yourself in the joy and love of the season! And I can tell from your recent post that you had a wonderful holiday.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. So great to see you back in blogland again!

    Have a terrific week!

    Cheers and X

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