Christmas is a time of hope, faith and renewal. Just as these blossoms burst forth to bloom in the cold and snow, we too can continue to shine through our talents and love. Age does not stand in the way of any of these. Instead, it gives us that much more to build on.

Whatever your faith and religious belief,
my wish for each of you is a season bursting with

Love
Hope
Understanding
Respect for each individual
& Peace

May each of these fill your heart and encompass you today and all year long.

With love,

Bonnie

“Hope is being able to see there is light despite all of the darkness…” – Bishop Desmond Tutu

This is the time of year when we celebrate the Christmas season. Traditions might vary from country to country, however we honor this season because of the hope it brings to all.

The Reverend John R. Claypool defined Hope this way: “What breath is to the physical body, Hope is to the human spirit. Hope is what consoles us. It is the fuel that energizes us, gets us up in the morning, and propels us through the day.”

Can you think of a symbol for Hope? A little bird’s egg awaiting its day to hatch, a quietly resting cocoon that may become a majestic butterfly, a child’s hand full of tiny seeds to plant in the garden to grow tall and bloom… Reflect for a moment on what brings you hope. Is it positive expectancy? Is it believing that, no matter how uncertain things may now seem, that “everything has a way of working out”…? In fact, many charity organizations end their telephone numbers with the word HOPE.

Let your Age Esteem shine by appreciating the sweet presence of Hope in your heart and within your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers during this blessed holiday season across the world.

Blessings Throughout the Year

In the Christian religion the star is a sign of Peace On Earth Good Will Towards All. Christmas is a time of celebrating our Lord’s love. Many traditions surround it in our family: baking and decorating cookies, making gifts to give to others, decorating a tree, family gatherings and a midnight candlelight church service on Christmas eve.

Whether your religious beliefs and traditions are similar, different, or non-existent, my wish for each of you is that you experience blessings of love, joy and peace throughout the whole year.

Bonnie Fatio

May the blessings of Christmas

be with you and your loved ones every day of the year!

Bonnie Fatio

SAGE

It might be difficult to believe should one walk by a sage bush that it is such a valuable and versatile gift from Mother Nature.  In some parts of the world as in the south of France it may be found growing wild, so it is free as well as assuming one might pick a branch or two.

Probably the first thing one would think about sage is the Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey as it is an important ingredient in the stuffing.  It has healing powers too.  A hot sage gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis is recommended for curing these conditions   Add one or two teaspoons of dried sage to boiling water.  Then gargle!  The herb is not recommended for children due to the great amount of tannins found in it.

Actually there are two types of sage – Clary sage and Spanish sage, each with a different ability to treat symptoms.  Clary sage is efficient in combating stress or anxiety while Spanish sage is a more stimulating herb used in treating bronchitis, muscular aches and pains and poor circulation. Both treat conditions by baths, compresses, gargling and massage.

Used either in cuisine or for medicinal remedies, sage will bring comfort and joy to all.

Grandma Nature

One of my favorite card over the holidays is copied below.  – Not the message on the card, but the message of the sender.

Why is it a favorite?  Because the words of June, the friend who wrote it, express how she puts her AgeEsteem to daily use via her

• acceptance of her present health,
• positive attitude,
• gratitude for what she has,
• social contact with others despite not getting out and about,
• interest in the lives of others and what is happening,
• continued purpose and contribution to others.

Precious Ones,

I hope all is well with you and your family and that you will be together for a Happy Festive Christmas…

Things here are ok.  I’m having to use the walker all the time to get around and don’t go out, only to the doctors.  My son and his wife were here the first of Nov. and took me shopping for necessities but that’s it.  I’m just happy I’m here where there are people and I have a nice warm room and plenty to eat, and at 93 that is a lot – Especially when I think of how many older people aren’t warm or have enough to eat.

I finally finished the 60 Hats of Love, (for Cancer patients) and 80 ski caps (for the needy) – my fingers don’t do quite as good as they did – and gave them all away – know they will keep some heads warm even if winter is cold…

June is a wonderful example of AgeEsteem for all ages.