Happy Holidays

I don't generally celebrate the holiday season in the fashion and at the time most generally would, but I am still very cognizant of the fact that most everyone celebrates something. So I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, filled with lovely family members, great friends, and good food.

I wish you all the best. Please keep warm and stay safe.

Christmas Cactus

So Thoughtful

I would characterize my job as service oriented. It's not social services, but some days I feel as if I am a social worker. I work with a lot of low income people and many of my clients are low income. Some days, some don't even have a place to go to for shelter and some often have to figure out where food is going to come from.

Imagine my surprise when a former client of mine showed up today at my office unannounced. It had been about a year since I last saw her because I closed out her case with my office. She's a really nice person, but once I've closed out a case, I rarely have any kind of personal contact with the client. Well, she surprised me and brought me a huge box of chocolates. Her gift almost made me weepy and I know don't why she would give me this gift because she had already thanked me for helping her. I couldn't believe that she went out of her way to buy this for me on her fixed income and she trekked out to my office (with her young son in tow) on such a cold day. She's such a sweet person and we briefly caught up on what was going on in our lives. She's so thoughtful and I don't know how I can show my gratitude to her for her generosity.

Lincoln Park Conservatory

When I was in Chicago, Illinois, I visited the Lincoln Park Conservatory. I don't know why I didn't write about the conservatory in an earlier post, but I guess it slipped my mind. Like many avid gardeners, I love visiting other people's "gardens," may it be public or private.

The Lincoln Park Conservatory is located just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo (which also happens to be one of the oldest zoos in the nation). It houses a variety of plants, and like many conservatories found in the midwest, it has many tropical and rare plants. I believe admission to the conservatory is free or it has a "donation" basis type of entry.

I love taking pictures in conservatories. For some unknown reasons, I love taking macro pictures and pictures of plants. It's unfortunate that I didn't keep track of the plant's names when I took a picture of the plant, but I still appreciate the picture.
Generally, I don't make it a goal to seek out certain gardens or conservatories to visit, but if there is one within a reasonable distance from where I'm staying, I would try and visit it. I really love all types of gardens, especially if it's free. It may be boring to some people, but I love looking at all the plants and the statues/artwork housed in each garden and conservatory. There's just so much to appreciate.
Do you have a conservatory or garden that you would recommend one go visit?

Plant "Beads"

[Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago, Illinois. Taken September 4, 2011.]

Already?

Is it December already? Where has this year gone? I cannot believe that Thanksgiving has already passed and Christmas will be here shortly. I recall that I did not enjoy last year's holiday season at all because I was going through a very tough time emotionally. Now, I feel as if this year is a repeat of last year, but with a different twist. I am so confused. Why must the heart make things so complicated? At the same time, work is also keeping me very busy. I need to learn to say "no," but I want to help people, especially when there's merit in the cases that are brought before me.

In remembering last year, I told myself I will take some time to enjoy this holiday season. I don't mean to say that I will be spending money like crazy. I mean to say that I will take time to just enjoy the moment and appreciate all of the things going around me at this time of the year (e.g. the hustle and bustle, the decorations, the singing, the celebrations, etc.,). Maybe I should take it on myself to capture more photographs of these things. Maybe this holiday season, despite my emotions going on another roller coaster ride, I will try my best to appreciate the moment.