This is my un-Christmas card. I’m not sending holiday cards this year, recognizing that this message won’t reach all those who usually receive one from me. Please allow me to explain.
I wish you happiness and joy and peace in the new year, as always. Perhaps because of my age, my aging and slowing down, I’m really conscious of my limited energy and time in this life. Usually optimistic, this year I feel so deeply the ocean of darkness hovering above that it feels wrong for me to buy beautiful greeting cards in order to send out messages of cheer. The energy and resources that I have, I want to use for the many causes that I stand for: peace in Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine; social justice among all of us; climate justice for the planet; and good will to all.
To the many people I love: my family, friends, Friends, protesting and rallying friends, partners in crime (crime for a good cause,) neighbors, Kiva friends, political friends, writer friends, friends from my youth, and new friends — please know that absence of my card does not signify diminishment of my love, but simply of my energy.
I am increasingly more conscious of the limitations of this life and of its resources. I desperately want to be conservative with the resources that remain for me, as well as for the planet.
There is so much need in this world. Let me spend my time and energy where there is need. I have been blessed with so much love in this life, that I am overwhelmed by it. My husband shows me this daily in repeated small acts of kindness, such as cappuccino personally delivered. My son and his quasi-bride, Ginger, also shower me with their attention and love in multiple ways, including most recently, cookies at a winter light festival. Likewise, so many of you — friends, cousins, nieces and nephews, new friends and old, each of you — please accept my deep appreciation and love for you.
I need to single out a few, though hope it doesn’t diminish the shine for the rest of you. My oldest friend, Karen, remains a bright spot in my life, even though our contact is limited. With her, I’m still in junior high! My newest, though that may be presumptuous, is Erin, met last week by chance downtown, and already responding to my invitations for beginner activism and involvement in causes that matter to her.
Tears come to me easily these days, perhaps with an easy tenderness for our world. I delight in small indulgences, such as my new pedicure, a beautiful shiny red, though I won’t be wearing sandals soon. My special trip this year was three weeks in Bali with Paul, exquisite beyond my imagining, especially the repeated snorkeling around coral and swinging thousands of feet above the rice fields.
My holiday wishes for each of you:
Love for yourself
Peace in your life
Joy as the new year unfolds
Work towards something that matters to you
Awareness of the preciousness of your life
With my love,
Carole
Copyright ©️ 2023
Carole's Words 
Beautiful piece Carole, thank you so much, with warm and loving greetings to you and our planet in return.
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From my heart, ♥️
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Same to you, Carol. Have a wonderful holiday season and new year. Understand the energy rationing.
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❤️
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Dear Carole, Your thoughts are so beautifully expressed! Thank you for including me. I wish the same for you, now and especially in the new year. I will close with my traditional expression at this season, Happy Christmas! Patricia
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❤️
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Thanks, Carole, for including me in your holiday wishes. May I extend those same desires to you, and wish you many more fruitful missions in 2024! Sue
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We, too, have drastically reduced our Christmas card sending and most likely there will be those out there who feel neglected. I feel compelled to send them your wonderful “words” so perhaps they will realize the more important things in life.
Maureen and I took part time jobs at LLBean this Christmas season (for a litttle extra travel money) and it has proved to be harder on us than we thought. Plus I continue my work at the horse rescue so for me, free time is almost nonexistent.
But.., we are well and it is good to hear that you are also. Hopefully the new year will continue to bring us health and happiness.
Please know that we not only appreciate your continued efforts of protest and righting all the wrongs out there, but we love your kind heart and all the things that make you, you.
Our home is humble but you are always welcome here. Have a joyous Holiday and wonderful 2024.
Paula and Maureen
P.s. sometime soon when we are in Beverly, I will contact you and we can meet for lunch!
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Dear Paula, my thanks go beyond words! Yes, I’d love to have lunch with you. You have a really special place in my heart.
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Should have addressed to Paula AND Maureen!
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Lovely words, as usual. Peace to you.
Loretta
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Carole, this is such a wonderful, heartfelt message. You are a beautiful soul and I am sure you make God smile.
Maureen
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What a beautiful expression! Thank you. 😘
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Right bak at ya girl friend. Everything you said resonates deeply for this old lady who is also trying fight the good fight, while remaining as loving as possible. Can they stand together? Hope so.
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Judith, thank you. For me, writing is pulling out my feelings to see what they’re made of, then describing them with as much honesty as possible.
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So well said ❤️have a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year 🙏
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Thanks so much for your message. I appreciate your affirmation.
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Carole, nice to see you at Rob’s party. Ironically, we did send out cards this year for the first time. In either event, a kind gesture or note is timely at any time of the year. Amidst the strife in the world, being connected to others is so important. We need the meaningfulness of relationships and reaching out through the platforms available to us is a way to nurture that. As you do here. Keep ’em coming. Hope 2024 is a grand year for you.
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David, I appreciate your comments. Thank you.
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