""A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues. This Thanksgiving, may you give thanks for everything you are blessed with."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

♦ Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com.

The Attic...by Jim Terry

I always become a bit more enthusiastic, passionate, and excited this time of year. There is definitely something about the “magic” that is created that helps put a little more spring in your step…a little more love in your heart…a little more kindness witnessed day in and day out from one person to another...and well, just a little bit more of a Christmas miracle in this world that sometimes can be a bit difficult to navigate at times.

Now, this might be funny, but growing up, I was always jealous of those kids in the movies that had an attic. And my jealousy was certainly not directed towards the “scary” attics that have the spider webs, the creaky boards, or the ghosts that dwell there along with the musty air. My jealousy was more directed towards the attics that you observe in the Christmas movies.

It’s that cozy space that is still well-kept. It’s the attic that has the frosted widow in winter that looks out into the moonlit and peaceful wooded surroundings covered in snow. It’s a space where family memories are kept. Where there is a timeworn weathered rocking horse that the children relished and played with in their youth nestled along the wall.

It’s also that same space where you can find a suitably placed box in the corner, which includes memoirs of Christmas past in the form of pictures and the old 8 mm films which may help create a quivering lip or even may assist in drawing a tear for those that witness, and finally remember their existence. It’s also an area where there are two rocking chairs purposely placed in front of the widow with two fresh and clean blankets to help weather the cold.

In my mind, there’s only one more thing to add to those chairs to help create the perfect setting…two young children. The ones with the eyelids that are seeking to defy gravity or just need to rest, trying as hard as they can to stay awake, so that they might observe the arrival of good ole St. Nick. And just as soon as they start to nod off with “visions of sugar plums” dancing in their heads, they are quickly woken by the distant clatter and tapping of the reindeer hooves “up on the housetop” with the faint jingle of the bells and Santa and sleigh in tow. Which, in turn, makes the kids “run to the window…like a flash,” and tear “open the shutters and throw up the sash" all while trying to get a glimpse of the jolly ole man they believe in.

So not to keep you during the holidays, but I challenge you to go find that place this evening, that attic, to either reaffirm or to once again become that believer that magic does and can exist to help usher in Christmas Day. Who knows, you too may hear those distant jingle bells or the tapping of the reindeer hooves, which always help welcome in the Christmas season.

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

♦ Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com. 

"I Will Choose To Give Thanks"...by Jim Terry

It’s the simple things that matter most, right? Just the other day, I was missing my Mom on the anniversary of her passing. Yes, it can be a bit of a somber day for me and for my family members, but as more time passes I don’t view this day with as much sadness anymore. Call me crazy, but I now look at this day as a celebration of her life…her legacy…the lessons she taught me and I feel so lucky that I was able to be a part of that for forty-three years of my life.

I’m going to keep this blog simple today so you all can enjoy your family and the holiday that is upon us, but I simply had to share an experience I had just the other day with my mother.

On the 16th of November, the anniversary date of my mother’s passing, I couldn’t help but take a minute longer in my truck before I went into work so I could think about her. As my music continued to play quietly in the background, I also had to ask myself, “How could nine years pass so quickly since her passing?"

One of the memories I thought of was her going grocery shopping by herself. This was probably for two reasons. First, kids are a pain in the butt to shop with and she definitely needed a break from us. Secondly and most of the time, she couldn’t take us anyhow because she would need the space in our minivan.

Have you heard the expression, “Feeding an army?” Well, imagine being the matriarch to eight children. This without a doubt could easily fill the inside of a vehicle. It was our job as her children when she would arrive home, to help her bring in the groceries. The signal that let us know it was time to help? My mother would honk her horn as she pulled into the garage. It was then time for the troops to assemble and do their part by helping unload the car.

Some of the other things I remembered about her were all the homework help she gave, the kind notes in my lunchbox, the baseball games she came to, the homemade kites and Halloween costumes, the hugs, the kisses, the love, and especially the magic she would create for us children during the holiday season.

And just as I was about to turn my truck off and walk into work, as one song ended and another one began, I had to stop and stay in my truck a bit longer.

I have a flash drive in my truck with over 5000 songs on it. For those of you who don’t know, I am a music guy. I love music and always love having it playing within my earshot. My mother and I connected on several levels over the years with music both she and I loved. My mom’s two favorite groups/artists were the Everly Brothers and Neil Diamond.

Of those 5000+ songs on the flash drive, I have 5 songs that will always remind me of her. Two are from Neil Diamond and three of them are from The Everly Brothers. I can’t remember the last time one of those songs played in my truck. That was until that morning and just before I left my truck. The song “America” started playing by Neil Diamond.

Ok, so maybe those anniversary days are still a bit harder for me than I previously alluded to. When the song started to play, the thoughts of her and missing her became twentyfold stronger. As I continued to sit in my truck and listen to that song in its entirety, I couldn't help but let my emotions get the best of me. As tears began streaming down my face, I let out a quiet but simple, “Thank you, Mom. I love you too!”

So is it or isn’t it a coincidence that this happened to me? I will let you decide. However, "I will choose to give thanks" for this experience and hope it reminds us all to always "give thanks” for all the blessings we have.

These blessings??? Well, it may also include an impromptu visit from loved ones lost or those that are still here with us. Take the time to talk, listen to, or take a walk with those you love...It may surprise you what you might find out and the memories that can be made.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! We wish you a very happy holiday season!

♦ Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com. 

Happy 4th Of July

 Happy 4th Of July Everyone!!! 

We hope that your day is "safe and sane!" Be safe and enjoy the fireworks!!!

♦ Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com. 

"A Hero"..by Jim Terry

On Monday, May 30, 2022, TODAY,  Americans across the country will celebrate. It’s a day of remembrance to honor the sacrifice made by the men and women who currently are serving and also those that have died during their service in the United States military. Upon further research, the number of fatalities is well over 1.3 million Americans that have died protecting our nation since 1775.

As you celebrate today by hosting a BBQ for friends or a simple get-together with family,  please remember that Memorial Day is a special moment in time to honor America’s history and remember the bravery and courage of the men and women who fought to give us our freedom. And in light of current world conflicts like what is going on in Ukraine,  we should never forget that that very freedom we all have and enjoy came at the expense of the brave heroes who lost their lives fighting to protect it.  

So the next time you may be driving by a national cemetery, take a moment and stop by. It may surprise you what you may experience as you witness row after row of white headstones of those that gave so that we might all live as a free nation and people. I personally, with my recent stop, had thoughts of peace, happiness, somberness, and reflection. It makes me grateful every time. 

Finally, I will leave you with one last quote to think about, especially on a day like today, which definitely rings true..."A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”- Joseph Campbell

Happy Memorial Day!!!

♦ Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com.  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

 "Happy Mother's Day to the" people "who look after us and make us feel endlessly loved! You might not wear a cape" but you DEFINITELY are "our HEROES!" 

Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing you all health and happiness in 2022!!!

Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com