Happy Holidays Wish Thread

Thank you, Gracemom - what a lovely idea! Merry Christmas to Christine and to all of the wonderful ladies here. May your heart and home be filled with peace and joy this Christmas and may you all have a very happy and healthy New Year.

Goldfinch

Happy holidays to you all. I thank you all for listening and your support and wish us all a happy, healthy and symptom free New Year!

A

May we all be surrounded by love, laughter, health and happiness.

This place in definitely among my greatest blessings of 2007.

Travel safely!!

Kit

Happy Holidays to All!

It has been non-stop here...people coming and going...lots of dishes to wash! :-) Our Solstice party was a wonderful time and I'll look forward to it all again next year! Like Judy, I've been too busy feeding people to notice anything other than feeling fine.

We'll have a sweet afternoon with dd, dgd, ds, and ds' fiance and then it's just the four of us to await the sound of hooves on our rooftop.

I hope everyone is gathered with friends and relations this deep-winter season...so-o-o-o dear to the soul. If you happen to be alone...light a candle and become united with us through space and time!

ALL LOVE,

Christine

Gosh I am so excited. MY daughter has put the food out for both Rudolph and Father Christmas and I can almost hear his sleighbells in the distance!

You are all in my thoughts over this Christmas holiday and I wish you all lots of joy and Christmas hugs and kisses from loved ones. May 2008 be a healthy and happy one for us all.

Frankie x

Nobodys up yet lol but Merry Christmas! lol
Sue

Look into the eyes - They hold the key!
http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/img/maddy544x150Banner.jpg

Hey would you guys be interested in a POP community candel lighting? Maybe we could all pick a time and day-new years would be cool- and do it "together"-

Hope you are all having a wonderful day- we sure are-

Lovely idea, I would like to join in. Kit

me too! when shall we do it?

I'd love to - how do we do it?

I think it's about 8 hrs from England to Australia and about 8 hrs from Australia to California and about 8 hrs from California to England. I got this from looking at a globe, is it right? What if we each lit a candle at noon where we are and let it burn for 8 hrs (a big fat candle!) We would encircle the world with a continuous flame for 24 hrs. Right?

We could each post here just what our candle flame symbolizes to us, what we are saying with it about the POP community, what we are sending to our sisters and all our loved ones around the world.

Ellen

It occured to me that this day we observe with candles might be expanded to become an international day for women's health. It looks like there's a National Women's Health Week (March 11-17) and an International Women's Day for commemorating women in science.

We could choose a day for Prolapse only or broaden it to include all the important gynecological, obstetric, and general health issues. I am presently working on an expose' of the medical treatment for Lichen Sclerosis...an astonishing story that victimizes women far worse than making them simply guinea pigs. Gynecology is seen as the high standard throughout the world when in truth some of its practices are just morbid.

Thoughts?

Christine

Christine, I am in awe of your energy

great idea I think. what is lichen sclerosis? :::::off to google:::::

The 8 hour candle sounds perfect. I am going to start another post for us all to do just as you suggested....

and the international day for womens health would be amazing.....do we need to march on the white house lol?

...we need to march on Washington AND testify before Congress. Medical lobbyists are the most powerful on the planet and it's high time our political leaders know that all is not well in Kansas.

I have my 8-hour candle, which I will light at noon on New Year's Day...such a lovely idea, Ladies!

Christine

I am a bit confused as to time zone differences and as I do not have an 8 hour candle and have a thing about leaving things burning I will just light a small candle that I have on New Years Day. I hope that counts as me doing my part!
Have a lovely New Year.

A

I have my candle ready and will be lighting it here in the UK 12 noon New Year's Day. My thoughts will be with you all as we share this time in space with each other.

Christine, your passion constantly inspires me.

I wish that we all are kept in happiness and light in 2008.

Frankie x

HAPPY NEW YEAR
I would like to wish everyone here a very happy new year...and hope the new year brings comfort and happiness to all...
Christine...I hope you have much success with all your research through out 2008...and thank you so much for this wonderful forum and all the help you give you are an amazing lady....

Love and Hugs Zash xxx

Hi All

Happy New Year to all Members.

We are in the middle of the predictable hot weather of our summer with all its markers of the time of year. We lock up our house early in the morning to keep the heat out, and open it again to let the cool in late at night. A flock of probably 2000 Corellas (large, noisy, white parrots feral to this part of WA) fill the air with their raucous calls early each morning. Last night we had a power outage just before dark. This happens at least once each summer, even without thunderstorms. We think it is the Corellas sitting on powerlines down near the wheatbin at the end of the road, doing gymnastics and shorting out the overhead wires, as we were the only outage in the State when we reported it.

So we cooked and ate our New Years Eve dinner by candlelight, and enjoyed the balmy evening out of doors. We had about 12 candles on the go for a couple of hours, so I am wondering if that qualifies as equivalent of one eight hour candle. Fire risk is our constant companion at this time of year, so I am not quite brave enough to leave a candle unattended overnight.

Hope all the northern hemisphere Members are snug and warm in the bitter cold you may be having. And hope all the southern hemisphere members are enjoying the freedom that summer brings. We've been in 2008 for about 14 hours now, and guess what? It is very much the same as 2007!

Cheers

Louise

Hello, would just like to add to the thread wishing everyone a great new year and hoping that you are all enjoying much deserved holidays. On New Years eve a woman friend from my work came to my place early in the morning. It was overcast and cool, with some drizzly rain. We set about digging out one of my flax bushes. It took us an hour but in the fresh cool air, it was almost enjoyable. As it was fairly physical work, I wondered how my prolapse would be. I didn't even notice it. It's still up and down every day, but I am so used to it now that it really doesn't matter - sure, I'd like the darn thing to go up and stay up, but I would be truly thankful if it just never got any worse. That is ultimately my dearest hope. Anyway, I am having a wonderful holiday and getting through some things that have been sitting around for far too long. I am also thankful that I have survived the break up of my marriage and am growing stronger bit by bit. It is good to be able to feel that being a woman alone does not have to mean lonely. Ah well, take care all of you.
Cheers,
Wendy

good to hear from you. I knew you'd survive, but all the same I'm happy to hear youre feeling stronger.

love to you!
and a happy new years to all

Louise,

Thank you so much for the wonderful bird's eye view of your spot in the world. I can't imagine Christmas and New Years in the heat. Does Santa wear a t-shirt while he's there? It was a lovely description, and I just loved the Corella part. I'd love to see those birds.

Here, in Southwestern Indiana, a spot often overlooked, it's about to be deep winter. We're a hilly, tree heavy place and much of my spot still looks the way it did when Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett and Abe Lincoln lived here. It's farm land just out of my town - soy beans and feed corn. My little town is an old river town on the Ohio. We're a tiny tourist spot when the weather is good. I live in a house built in 1830. It was the first stop for the Underground Railroad, and it's the first stop on our town's Ghost Walk!

We are ten minutes from Kentucky which is one of the most beautiful states in the country - having been to most states, I can attest! It's very wild still with lots of waterways and mountains.

The cold weather is about 25-45 degrees most days here now - sweater weather for me, but then I don't like the heat.

I'd love to hear from others about their surroundings.

Happy New Year,

Judy

Change what you can change; be happy with what you cannot.

It's a little after 10:00 AM here (EST) but I'm lighting my candle early. It's a cloudy, windy day, and the candle flame gives the house warmth. I'll be home all day, so it will burn until this evening.

Happy New Year to you all. I pray that it is a healthy, happy and kind year to everyone here. And may we all have peace in the world.

Goldfinch

today's a typical winters day, almost 40 degrees with a cold hard rain and some wind. I just came in from a walk (I love the rain, though I prefer it to be a bit warmer) and we have a roaring fire going in our fireplace.
thinking of you all on this new years day

I just lit my candle on this typical New Mexican winter day – cold, clear, dry and glorious. I let the challenges of last year go…the loss of my beautiful mountain home (yes, Zelda…I too know the terror of a run-away mortgage); getting used to living in the adorable, but tiny, apartment behind the Whole Woman Center; the adjustments of child-centered domestic life again as daughter and granddaughter move home; total helplessness as a terrible disease ravaged my bottom – and a glimmer of hope in treating it; and not least getting this work out into the world on a shoestring. 2008 will be different as I become focused like a laser.

May we all…

* Become fiercely interdependent with those we love

* Develop the art of body-listening. The body always knows what it needs, but those needs often go unheard

* Trust our natural design, which is magnificent, powerful and built to both prevent and withstand prolapse

* Learn to create real health, a concept that cannot be found at the gynecologist’s office, but rather resides in soil, water, air, posture (:-) and at political conference tables around the globe

* Unite with women everywhere to make the world a better place.

Happy New Year!

Christine

... our very selves. I am so touched that we all seem to be women who know how to WORK and take care of ourselves and others. Clever but also knowledgeable, resourceful and wise. Who better to lead a worldwide movement for women's self-empowerment and health!

My candle is burning in Alabama where it's cold and clear today, a perfect New Year's Day. I like Christine's "fiercely interdependent" with those we love. I will work this year to be more self-revealing (prolapse certainly makes THAT a necessity!) and trusting, kinder and more worthy of trust.

We (husband and I) are back at work today. In our small enterprise we could not afford another off-day. But it's good to be gearing up again.

Much joy to us all.

Ellen

We had a hard cold snap yesterday. Today we have unabashed sun,everything is glittering like diamonds.
An accurate metaphor for my hopes with the New Year. I caught up on a bunch of your posts this
morning with the aftermath of a lovely party last night all around me. I was tearful and struck by the feelings
of love, deep affection, respect, gratitude and AWE I have for this community. If it wasn't for this prolapse you all
wouldn't be part of my life ! I am glad to be knowing you !

I often think on things your various perspectives bring and have learned compassion for myself through you.
You and your stories are in my heart no less than dear friends and family.
Wouldn't it be fun to meet at Christines ? A retreat in New Mexico ? I imagine . We would hug ourselves silly.
Ride high girls ! May this New Year bring much joy, prosperity and contentment.
Zelda

P.s- Your post is powerful and concise Christine ! I really wish I had the words to convey how deeply you
and your dedication to our cause has improved our lives. I for one have a goal of meeting you and telling
you in person !!!

I lived and taught school in Lexington, KY from 1974 to 1979, the year husband #1 and I got divorced. That is where my daughter was born. Kentucky is a beautiful state, especially the horse country around Lexington. I still miss the Wildcats basketball games at Rupp Arena!

I moved back to New Jersey and have lived near the coast for the last 13 years. We are about 5 miles from the ocean. It is quite a busy community in the summer when the area is full of tourists! Everyone calls it going 'Down The Shore'. My favorite time is in the fall when the warm ocean water gives us the most beautiful fall weather. Walking on the beach at that time of year is the best!

We haven't had any snow yet this winter - another perk of the still warm ocean water. But usually in January & February we'll see some snow. How sad - a rare 15-foot True's beaked whale washed ashore dead yesterday. It's been taken to the University of Pennsylvania for an autopsy to try and determine the cause of its death.

Your town - and 1830's house - sound wonderful! What do you do to your house for the Ghost Walk?

Hope some more people tell us about where they live.

Goldfinch

Where is Alemama? This was her idea and I was looking forward to her post!

Our candle has been burning through the day. Our home feels like a warm, embracing bubble of security and love while at the same time I sense a deep connectedness with all who hold meaning in our lives. It is a good, good feeling. I commented on it to my husband as we listened to the cold wind of winter just outside. It is so good to have a warm place to be on such a day. There was a lovely rose hue to the sunset this evening--a beautiful contrast to dark blue/gray skies. Seems there is always some loveliness to see and find in this world. How much of our bliss do we miss each day? That thought is ever-present with me right now. I hope it stays and makes me even more aware.

I have felt you all with me and I with you, even as our family and company continue to come and go.

As of now, the candle is burning on the kitchen table, a fire is going in the hearth and a sweet niece and nephew are playing their new Wii bowling game with my dh.

Life is good here. I hope it is the same with all of you. Kit

we have a beautiful fire. Now as I sit looking at our beautiful fire I think about community. I am so thankful for all you women and your wisdom. I am thankful for technology and the use of it to unite us all in our wholewoman quest. I am thankful for all you women. Your support has been priceless. I love you all.

my wish for the next year is to in some way give back some of the support that has been given to me just when I needed it most. Thank you Christine for your hard work. We are right behind you.

Goldfinch,

Lexington is about 2.5 hours from us. Did you ever visit the Trappist Monastery there at Gethsemane? How about Shakertown?

My house is the only actively haunted house in town. We see a lot of things here, but they don't bother us.

My husband is a New Yorker, and I lived in Scarborough for a couple of years and visited the beaches of New Jersey frequently. It always reminded me of my old stomping grounds - Northern California. My children are lucky enough to go "down the shore" too. They live in Florida.

Sorry about your whale. They are such wonderful creatures. I've always loved the big animals.

Judy

Change what you can change; be happy with what you cannot.

As I watched the frankincense and myrhh candle burn yesterday, its flame glimmered and reflected around our living room. We had family visiting - lots of eating, merry making, dancing and talking happening all day- and you were all there with us as I looked at the candle. Moments of peacefulness and love and wellbeing amongst the chattering warmth.

I wish you all joy and may love surround you and work through you in the New Year. You all have been such a source of strength and compassion whenever I needed it.

Thank you Christine for creating this lifeline. You are an amazing woman and truly inspiring.

I take absolute pride and feel honoured to 'know' you all.

Frankie x