Holidays.... and the thoughtfulness of family

So my family has been slowly accepting of my strange, eco, ways. Don't get me wrong, I still get the "Oh Lisa..." look with a smile and a head shake, but they've really been quite supportive. (my wrapping supplies- magazine paper and kitchen cooking string)


Take the holidays. I arrived home from a three hour drive (I know, so environmentally friendly. At least my car is uber fuel efficient) with my magazine wrapped gifts. I had two more presents to wrap, and my mom declared that unfortunately she didn't have any more newspaper left. She had wrapped ALL of mine and Andrew's presents in newspaper. YAY!

We wrapped quickly and booted it to the nursing home where my grandmère is now staying with guitar in tow. Since we arrived right when she was in mass (it's owned by nuns) we sat and waited for a while. I'll most likely write about that experience in another space... it was, extremely emotional to be there. I did end up playing a few songs in French for her after mass finished and she was so happy. I really wish it would have stayed with her longer than that day...


The following morning I discovered that my mom had put a LOT of thought into each gift, from natural trail mix to snack on, to LOCAL hand made soaps to a fair trade bracelet and earrings made by widows in Sri Lanka. I will admit that reading the story behind the bracelet made me tear up (I am such a sap).

My Tante B. had even wrapped her gift to me in tea towels! I was so touched by her thoughtfulness. It was a sewing kit, which is fantastic since I actually don't own a single needle or thread.


And how was yoga? Well, I managed to take my advice and "LET GO" a lot of my expectations for when to practice. I got in one, fantastic 45 minute practice in the living room of all places. I had forgotten that "my" room would have a mattress that wasn't easily movable, so kitchen or living room it was. Mom was vacuuming and dad was chatting, but it was fine. I dealt with mom's several photo moments "but I just wanted to get a picture of you doing yoga next to the tree!" (me ignoring the flash, second- a little wobbly since I had to hold it FOREVER as dad's camera took awhile to reboot) and even showed them a few wall handstand stuff I had been practicing :)


The best parts were those before and after the gift opening. My favourite part of this Christmas: my grand-mère's ridiculously large happy smile when she realized I was there to play and sing for her.


Blessings!


article and photos copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com