~December 2011 ~*~ Happy Holidays~

It seems like it is getting harder and harder to write my Holiday letter each year, that I find myself putting it off as much as possible. There is so much to write, then there is the angle of how much do people really want to know about, especially because this year has been especially tough for my family. No, I am not here to get the pity vote. That is just the reality of it. I guess we can’t always write about rainbows and unicorns. We are all healthy, thank God, knock on wood, and all that other good stuff… things financially are tight which has caused the bulk of my stress but I would imagine they are with you as well. I am grateful to say that we are not about being in survival or anything like that… emotionally, physically, things are taking their toll; boy I am beginning to feel my age!

And then it feels like time literally has sped up…Where did this year go? I know we say that every year but Jeez Louise… I can remember feeling invincible… right? Now I couldn’t stay up all night if I wanted to… unless of course, I am nursing a sick child and I have been up since 4am, like today!

What really bothers me about the chunks of time that have gone missing for some odd reason this year... I haven’t been to see people that really matter to me, like our many Georgia friends or my aunts.... One was such a support for me when Grace was first born and I have not even taken her to meet Grace. It’s important to me that my relationships not suffer. Like flowers, they need to be nurtured. It seems like unless you live with me, then we don’t talk often… and sometimes at all. I truly apologize for that. I do miss my familial ties and I am feeling a bit like a hypocrite since I hold a standard in my own relationships – they won’t be one-sided.

You know it’s not from lack of desire. It really is that I am just plain pooped. Heck these kids alone are a full-time job! But I manage to slip in a little ‘me’ time as well. But that is few and far in-between. I try to connect where I can. Please know that you are not far from my heart. <3 It’s like time creeps up and I still have so much to do. And before I know it, it’s Christmastime.

So why do I write these letters? Well part of it is because it seems over the past few years especially, this is the best way for me to connect with the people I care about. It definitely gives me an excuse to and it kicks me in the butt to put myself out there! If you are reading this, then you matter to me. Now that won’t necessarily get you any prize or anything but what it does do is say that you are my friend… not just FB style, the one who left heartprints. There is some path we are on together on this crazy ride and I for one… am grateful for the opportunity to be here with you. I guess because I feel so incredibly blessed with my own life that I want to share so if there is something I can do for you, please let me. I can even offer a virtual hug, right now!

I try to make my life meaningful, by bringing the things that hold meaning in my own life. A lot of that comes from raising my children. I know that I didn’t give birth to these beautiful kids… I get a lot of people that tell me how I am doing such a good thing for these kids but I defend this statement a lot, and this is the perfect time to explain my actions. Children are such an incredible light source. They are the purest love in action, and when I was afforded the opportunity (and the blessing) to be part of that sharing, then it was ME who is the lucky one! And in return, I get to help mold them into little taxpaying members of society. (Egads… hopefully not Republican (Sorry but I just had to go there!))

So a lot of what we have been doing is just day-to-day life stuff. So here is a recap of the years events, cuz trust me, that would bore you to tears to have to listen to my daily itinerary.

I love my work. Love the marketing and PR stuff! I am building a voice-over business and built my home studio so it was cool to earn my first dollar through writing and producing my first commercial at home! I have worked on just a couple of events, rather than my usual 3-4 major events… so I could spend more time at home being Mom. I am finding it hard NOT to work. Things are settling down, so this coming year will be all about new doors, new openings, and new opportunities that are continuing to build from the foundation I have been working from. Hey but guess what??!! Now that I am old… I finally know what I want to be when I grow up!

I can honestly say that I have been blessed in my career at the opportunities I have accomplished. I have worked with and for my mentors, internationally known artists, musicians, and cinema, TV and soap personalities, authors… And you know what I have learned… well I really already knew it… people are people. No one is more special than the other... and the true stars are those who give so much of themselves… NOT the celebrities. Give freely: there is nothing but good to be received!

My writing has been great! I have been writing under both names, which has been affective in keeping a couple of my many personalities satisfied. I have a successful and growing blog, Opinion8d1, along with two facebook accounts, (one maxed at 5000 friends!) as well as all of the social media outlets (did I mention I was a social media guru!) So for my career, obviously changes from the Business Manager! Actually, having my extensive business background has been very beneficial in the production of a major fundraising event for New Orleans, NOLAFest…

Oh I just finished (and mailed two copies this week) a book I just wrote on Pet Adoption... from the perspective of a pup! (so wish me luck, cross your fingers, and all that jazz. Come on, I would do it for you!! ) The book stems from the adoption of our puppy, Bella, my 8 month old black lab mix. We love her bunches… sometimes; even after she has eaten countless shoes and toys, she is still here  Once we got past that annoying puppy stuff, she has been an absolutely sweet joy… especially at night when she cuddles her massive 30 pounds on me. Ever tried to move the dead weight of a dog who does NOT want to go outside? I think we might have failed her as a guard dog; she may pin and lick a perpetrator to d… er, discomfort. For this reason, I won’t be sending a return address.

Altho still single, ain’t nothing happening there either and I am OK with that! I am way too tired to even think about bringing another person into this equation. Altho Michael asked Santa for a dad last year for Christmas. Literally. YIKES. Michael, Grace, Bella, and Des make this house very full!

Michael is 8 and in 3rd grade. He is a Math and Science Whiz! In fact, he just won an award for passing the Math semester Benchmark test and he score 100! He even went to an award ceremony for being the only one of two students that passed with 100%. He loves to read, loves math and in just a couple of months, has mastered his multiplication tables, up to 12’s. Do you know how long it took me? And I even had to write my times tables out as a punishment as a child. Hmm…? Glad he gets it.

Grace is a beautiful light. She is 2 now. Grace is absolutely adorable, I mean, people see her and just melt. Her smile, her dimples… she could be on TV. LOL. I laugh because she is already a DIVA. She loves to sing and can sing the words to any song … (altho she didn’t even talk until just a few short months ago.) music in general (elevator, car, zoo) will make her start bebopping, dancing, and singing. Then on the flip-side, she is a tough nut; she is very strong-willed. We have been working with her through Occupational Therapy. (Asperger’s runs in the family.) Her progress has been amazing. 6 months ago, Grace was barely speaking, maybe a vocabulary of 20 words. 6 months ago, one kiss was a rare occurrence and now I am grateful for all of the kisses I get! My heart just melts when Grace squeak’s, “I Love You too, Mommy.”

I am not sure what this year holds for me. Tough question for me. I have a plan but we all know the joke, ‘if you want to make God laugh… tell your plans. Well that is what happened this year. I am hoping to pick up an internship, my last internship. I am shooting for Public Relations or Event Planning, or Programming at another station. (Hey, I interviewed at POWER and KDAY last Spring so I am going big!) I am getting my resume brushed off and ready to go for the New Year! (More finger crossing please!)

Well folks, the ride is about to stop. Please exit on your left. I hope you got to walk a minute in my shoes and aren’t attempting to run yet! Kidding. That was my attempt to be humorous…even I got that it wasn’t funny. Besides, humor isn’t where I am at now. I am being serious. We all need heart-prints… for life to be Heart-felt.

I wish you tons of blessings, from joy and laughter, to prosperity and bounds and bounds of good luck. Peace is nice. Friends are even better. Loved ones, well we should all have plenty of those... but if you don’t have someone, please connect with me somehow so we can support each other. I am here wherever, whenever. K? If you need someone to talk to, I am a great listener. And the best part is that I really do care!

Remember, if you are reading my words to you right now, it’s because you are never far from my heart- for you are part of my own life’s tapestry.

Love,

Morgana Reeves