Posted on by Donna

Hope at Christmas

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“We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter’s evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light, which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.”

Woodrow T. Wilson

 

A friend recently asked me if there were any Christmas Critters I was going to write about.  I answered her rather flippantly that I didn’t have any unusual visitors…just the regular gang of deer, rabbits, squirrels, and various birds….so no nothing exciting to recount for the blog.  But her question got me to thinking about one of my visitors, the bluebirds.  I’ve written about bluebirds often in my posts.DSCN2470

They are becoming regulars now, but were not in years past.  While my bluebirds visit every year and raise a brood a two, they were occasional visitors in the garden from fall through winter.  This fall and winter we see them daily.  There is a group of about 5 or 6 that come and stay for a while in the old ash tree that is missing its top.  It is their favorite perch.  And while they are here, they check out their favorite house, and guard it against anyone who might like to make it their home.

Besides being our state bird, they are a favorite of mine especially because they bring up happy memories of my childhood.  I never recall seeing any as a child except in pictures, but I was a Camp Fire Girl (CFG) when I was growing up in Northern Indiana.  The first group you join before you become a CFG is the Bluebirds (much like the Brownies before becoming a Girl Scout).  I loved being a Bluebird.  The whole idea of being a bird intrigued me.  And the time spent with childhood friends learning about our local history, and the nature around us was a treasured time for me.

DSCN2972So when I see bluebirds now I am reminded of joyful times.  Folklore has it that when a bluebird shows up it should first remind you to take time to enjoy yourself.  It isn’t hard for me to do this as they seem to just bring enjoyment so easily.  And now they seem to bring something more when I see them.  For me they also signify hope….hope in the future, hope that everything indeed will be OK.

 

I recently ran across this beautiful quote about hope:

Hope is the last thing ever lost.  Italian Proverb 

 

Hope says to me that we not shut the door…hope sustains us as we work toward our goals and we hit roadblocks.  Hope is looking forward to the promise of wishes and desires to come.  It is having faith and trusting that we will have everything we need when we need it.

And for me, believing these things is also the essence of Christmas.   It is a perfect time to rekindle our dreams, and continue to DSCN3190hope for a better today and tomorrow.  Truly believing all that Christmas can hold sustains me.

As I have been journeying toward and following the light of each day, I have noticed how important nature has been to me.  Each day I see the sun rise and set, I am filled with joy….the colors of the sky giving me a sense of childhood wonder.  It inspires me to paint my own skies someday. It brings out my creative spirit and the awe around me in the world….giving gratitude for these blissful moments.

And even on those gloomy gray days especially in winter, I know the sun is shining warm glowing rays at this moment just above me.  Just like at night time, the sun is always shining somewhere in the world and will return in but a few hours.  I believe my own light is shining even when I try to hide it or feel a bit gloomy.  It is shining beneath me deep in my soul just waiting for the right moment to break free again.  It can’t be stopped you know.  It will shine forth…this I trust in, I know, I believe.  Just like the sun shining each dawn, it will shine bright again when the clouds fade away.

DSCN3133And so I leave you on the eve of Christmas with joyful hopes for the season and coming New Year.  I hope nature will inspire you to enjoy yourself and see the wonders around you even on a those gray days.  I wish each and every one of you, the Merriest of Christmases, the Happiest of Holidays and  dreams coming true in the New Year!!

 

 

 

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.  ~Dale Evans

 

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Next up on the blog:  

At the end of this week I will have the last Wildflower Tale of the year.  As the New Year dawns next Monday, I will unveil some new series and even a new look on the blog.  Lots of news to share….

I hope you will join me for my posts once a month at Beautiful Wildlife Garden. See my latest post.

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All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2013.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

76 Replies to “Hope at Christmas”

  2. I just love this post, Donna…all of it. The bluebirds are such sweetie-pies and their birdhouse is so photogenic. I am thrilled to hear about hope in today’s world. Without it we are lost. It’s like love…it always wins!

    The merriest of Christmas weeks to you and yours, too, as well as the happiest of holidays!

  3. A very Happy Christmas to you and your family, I hope you see many of your visiting critters over the holidays and that they continue to fill you with joy. Thank you for being such a regular commenter on my blog and for giving me such interesting things to read about and subjects to stimulate my mind. Christina

    1. Oh it has been my pleasure Christina…I am so glad you enjoy my posts! I so enjoy your blog…thank you also for your support and here’s to a fabulous New Year for us both!!

  5. Donna, I always look forward to your posts. This one is the most beautiful. I just love it. Beautifully said! I am sharing it with some of my friends. Have and wonderful, love filled Christmas!

    1. Barb this is the sweetest comment…it means so much to me that you love my posts and especially this one. And what a compliment to have you share it with others. I hope your Christmas was wonderful and that the year ahead with be filled with Peace and Joy!!

  6. Merry Christmas, Donna! I envy your bluebirds but I understand they want a more open habitat than we have here. I’ll just have to enjoy them through your blog, then! They are lovely birds.

    1. Oh Jason I wish they would visit you even once…and I am glad I can bring them to you! I hope you had a wonderful trip to Austin…and here’s to a wonderful New Year!

  7. Beautiful post and lovely bird pictures, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and all the best for the new Year.
    My hope for 2014 is that we have a better spring than in 2013 and that it arrives soon, I am itching to get started the many new plans for my garden and see the spring bulbs emerge 🙂

    1. Helene I am itching to see early blooms in your garden as well since mine won’t bloom until April. So here is to a warm wonderful spring for us all!!

  9. Donna, your blog is always full of optimism and gorgeous words and quotes to accompany your posts.
    Though they never come here the wartime song ‘there’ll be Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover’ always filled me with hope for such an event.
    Wishing you a Joyful Christmas and many thanks for all your visits and comments. Look forward to 2014 with you!
    Laurax

    1. Laura I am so overwhelmed by your kind words. I look forward to each of your blogs with their beautiful, creative images and lovely words. And I look forward to 2014 with you too..here’s to a Joyous New Year!

    1. Thank you Shirley and I am glad I could bring you some memories of the lovely bluebirds…Here’s to a wonderful New Year!

  12. The bluebirds look so cute! Wishing you a very happy Christmas Donna! I love your message of hope, I feel the same about it being the essence of Christmas. Thank you for your support over the years as well. 🙂

    1. My pleasure Andrea…so glad you enjoyed the message of hope….let’s keep the message going into 2014…wishing you a wonderful New Year!

  14. I saw my first blue bird this spring, flying across the edge of the field towards the fence. It filled me with hope, since I have never seen one before. They are real, and so are dreams, hold onto the hope of both.

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

    Jen

    1. How exciting Jen to see those amazing blue wings flying by…here’s to keeping the dream of hope alive in 2014!! Happy New Year!!

  15. I loved this inspiring and beautiful post. Just what I needed to hear! The Italian proverb is so true. I look forward to more of your posts in the coming year

  17. Merry Christmas, Donna, Happy New Year, and Thank You for an inspiring post! I’ve never seen a bluebird. Some day I hope to. Looking forward to seeing what new stuff you come up with.

  19. Such a lovely post Donna! I do love seeing the wildlife as well as the plants in your garden. Thanks for a year of beautiful photos, words and thoughts . Have a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

    1. Thank you Cathy and it means a lot to know you enjoy the posts. I hope to bring you more posts that might bring you some of that bluebird happiness. Wishing you happiness and hope in the New Year!

  20. Oh, what a lovely post, Donna. I’ve just been thinking a lot about hope–trying to re-capture a deep sense of how incredibly full of possibility the world is. May you have many, many days of shining light in the year ahead. Merry Christmas!

    1. So lovely that you were able to visit Stacy. I am so happy you loved the post. Wishing you lots of joy, hope and all things possible in the New Year!!

  21. I so enjoyed seeing and hearing about your bluebirds. Consider yourself fortunate! We have had bluebirds in the spring, but no broods. And we never see them during the fall and winter months. Perhaps it’s just too cold here. My latest wildlife sightings were a coyote (a thrill, never seen one in my neighborhood before), a red fox, and a deer. We used to see deer and fox quite often, but not as often anymore. We do have a lot of birds and squirrels; we feed them.
    Merry Christmas, Donna!

    1. We have worked hard to entice the bluebirds into one of the houses. We have had yearly broods but never several in one year and never seeing them coming back day after day all winter…I do feel lucky Beth…and how lucky for you to see all those critters and they fortunate that you feed them.

      Wishing you a wonderful New Year!!

  22. Hi Donna,

    What beautiful sentiments. Nature gives me hope too. When I’m outside I’m closer to what’s REAL. Nature helps me get my priorities in order and keep them that way.

    We don’t get this little bluebird here, I don’t think. Such cute little critters, aren’t they? I hope you have a warm and wonderful Christmas surrounded by the beauty you write so eloquently about. Hugs.

    1. Oh my friend thank you for your sweet sentiments. Nature is my solace too!! I am glad I could share my bluebirds with you. Here’s to a fabulous New year for both of us Grace!! Hugs to you too….

  23. Have the most wonderful Christmas and the most precious New Year, Dear Donna :-). I have to read this post slowly.

    1. That means so much to me Tatyana!! it keeps me going and writing. Hope your New Year is filled with bliss for you and yours!!

  30. The bluebird is a bird that makes everyone smile. Filled with happiness, so true. Merry Christmas and I hope your light continues to shine bright.

    1. So glad you enjoyed it Michelle!! Hugs to you this Christmas. I hope yours was wonderful and here’s to a healthy, peaceful and joyful New Year for you my friend!!

  32. Lovely post, The Bluebirds are the birds are my favorite birds.. They got me addicted to birdwatching..

    Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! And a Happy Healthy New Year!

    1. That is amazing as they were one of my first as a child bird watcher belonging to Audubon. I hope you had a magical Christmas and wishing you a Joyful New Yera!

  35. You’re right saying: a bluebird reminds us to take time to enjoy yourself but sometimes I forget about me.
    I wish you too very Merry Christmas and peaceful New Year, Donna!

    1. Oh thank you so much Beth….our Christmas was wonderful spent with family!! Here’s to a wonderful, peaceful, joyful New Year for both of us!!

    1. Sue how nice of you to visit and I am glad you enjoyed the post! I am looking forward to getting to know you and your blog…Happy New Year!

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