I must admit, this is a difficult holiday for me this year. Tomorrow is my birthday and 8 days ago, my mother passed away after a long journey through dementia. She had a long, productive life, and I'm glad that she's now at peace. I'm thankful for her presence throughout my life, and very grateful to be with my extended family for Christmas, so we can comfort each other. Despite all the craziness in the world, it is filled with good people, like my mother, and I'm confident that 2023 will continue to right the direction of the ship we're all sailing on. Blessings and Peace to you all. And thank you, Rob, for all that you do to keep us on course.
Abrazos. My mother had that same journey. Keep the memories of your mother before this nightmare of a disease robbed her and your family in your heart constantly. ❤️
You were your mother’s great holiday gift every year. She wants you to smile on your birthday because it was such a thrilling day for her too. And she lives on through you! You are a very special person if you are here with Robert so she did well. Blessings to you.
Oh my gosh, Denise, I'm so so sorry for your loss. Your post really touched my heart. I could feel your sorrow ... and your LOVE! Someone once said that sorrow is the price we pay for love ... you have had much of both!! I will hold you in my heart this weekend!! xx's
I hope that all of you who have commented and liked my post will see this. Thank you all so much. I had no intention of dominating the comments of this post (hopefully, I didn't!) - but all of your responses have been so beautiful and helpful. Because of the holidays, I haven't publicly announced her passing to very many people, but this seemed to be a safe place to share, and I was certainly right about that! As with HCR, Rob has created a community of intelligent, kind-hearted, and sensitive people, and I'm so glad to be part of it. I wish you all a blessed Christmas and as I've seen Connie Schultz write, "if you are struggling, may the day land gently." Peace to you all. ~~ Denise
You have suffered a lengthy loss, watching your mother with dementia. No matter how they pass, losing our mothers is so very difficult. I hope you can look back at the wonderful memories of time shared with her and that will bring you some peace and a smile.
I lost two cousins, both unexpectedly, this year. One was like my older brother. I feel your sadness. I hope sharing time and memories with other family members during the holidays will be a comfort. Merry Christmas.
It was in this group that I shared the passing of my mom who died during the lock down. I was only with her via FaceTime when she passed. It was a kind friend in this group that shared the following which has been my comfort every day since…
In Jewish teaching, the proper thing to say about her passing is "May her memory be for blessing." When we say that, the blessing implied is this: it is up to those who bear her memory to keep her goodness alive. We do this by remembering her, we do this by speaking her name, we do this by carrying on her legacy.
Thank you for sharing your moms memory with us. May her memory forever be a blessing.
Denise, your beautiful post brought me to tears.You’ll be in my thoughts this holiday season and I’m grateful you’ll be surrounded by family. My dad had a similar journey and passed away last year.Every day is a gift…
Oh Denise, So sorry that you lost you mom. Try to enjoy your birthday- you know that your birth was one of the most special experiences of your mom’s life!
We lost mum in April. I have lost so many dear friends but nothing- NOTHING- is the same as the physical loss of mum. Mummy had dementia and we felt we had lost so much that we’d be ready for the actual loss… not so… when she physically went it was unspeakably difficult. It’s so weird that you have this person that, you know , you’ve been with the longest. I’ve tried to be open to the waxing and waning of feelings and remembering-but this is a toughie. Wishing you peace. RIP Denise’s mom- Run Free!
Denise, I remember my mother's last 10 years with Alzheimer's. Her passing was both a deep loss and, though it's a little tough to admit, a blessing for our family. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. May you be comforted by the gathering of your family as well as your community right here.
So very sorry for your loss, Denise. Sending love and good wishes for your birthday tomorrow and your new year to come. Glad you get to be with your extended family for the triple occasion.
My Christmas list will be complete when Donald John Trump is indicted on the charge of negligent manslaughter in the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans during the COVID pandemic.
Wishing you a blissful Christmas with your new grandchildren. You and your marvelous “managing editor” have made the world better for them and for so many of us!
I an Nancy, too, join you in wishing Robert Hubbell and magnificent wife-Editor Jill Hubbell a blissful Christmas with your grandchildren, in gratitude for making the world a better place, and for making the world more coherent and bringing Light for this community.
A Holiday gift from Congress; passed the omnibus bill funding the government for another year, and without major compromises on major programs. One big potential source of blackmail has been eliminated for the following several months. The reptilian GOP candidate for House speaker may fail to achieve his goal. It's the entire House who must approve of the speaker, lending the slender minority of Dems significant influence over that election. Wouldn't it be amazing if the House elected someone with principles and a spine?
Yes to the omnibus bill. I've been thinking about the House leadership a lot. Thirteen R's who don't want to spend the next two years with a McCarthy leadership who join with the D's would make a difference. Been imagining Nancy working the phones to pull a deal together. :) My New Year's wish.
My year-end thought is that, finally, in 2023 Donald Trump will learn why “indictment” is spelled with a “c”, because in the real world, unlike the world on TV, C is for Criminal, not Cookie.
Thank you. Robert, For some reason the thought popped into my mind as I was writing th greeting aas you say a simple phrase yet does carry a vital message if we are to improve life on this planet. It is the negative and destructive dishonest and greedy people who ruin it for everyone They may individually gain a lot materially, but as the wise man said, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul. . During a near death type experience many years ago I feel I caught a glimpse of an afterlife comprised of many levels of consciousness, each level created by the collective minds of the inhabitants. And it appeared very important how we think and act in this short span on earth. because apparently we take that very sy state of consciousness with us. Even if this was an hallucination it makes sense that we'd be happier being a good person rather than a bad one. And it stands to reason that as I say above the more people are thoughtful and kind and compassionate the happier an entire community would be. I can't imagine Putin is a very happy man for all his riches, or Trump for that matter, or anyone like them. You can't be resentful, angry and hateful and happy and contented at the same time. Of course it isn't easy for a good person to be happy either without adequate shelter or food, but if human greed were eliminated many more lives would be much improved.
Thanks, Ellie. Please give my warm regards to the Tending to Democracy Giving Circle, and thanks for your outstanding contributions (monetary and otherwise!) in 2022!
I watched the Christmas greetings offered by you and your wife Jill and I must say that I have *never* seen a more decorated Christmas tree than the one behind you! I'm sure all the ornaments have significance and that's what makes the tree so amazing!!! Next year you'll either need a bigger tree or a second tree for the rest of your ornaments!!!! Enjoy Christmas with your growing family and make memories for your grandchildren. Many thanks for teaching us so much this past year; husband your strength for the coming years; you're going to need it -as will we, your readers!
The ornaments on the trees are a history of our lives together. Jill can tell you the provenance of every ornament. We have so many ornaments that we host a tree decorating party with a dozen friends. Usually takes about 90 minutes to hang all of the ornaments. (The tree is artificial, so we re-use every year.) Jill removes all of the ornaments and packs them lovingly in their original boxes or ornament organizers. That takes about 2 days!
You are my first cup of tea companion every morning now for maybe a year thanks to a friend who encouraged me to check you out. I can only add my thanks for your optimistic but also gutsy take on all the ,***,,## "issues". Cautiously optimistic that 2023 will see a kick ass DOJ . Cheers!
I hope you and Jill have a happy Christmas with the grandchildren. You are proud of them now, and someday they will be proud of what have accomplished and all the lives you have influenced.
I must admit, this is a difficult holiday for me this year. Tomorrow is my birthday and 8 days ago, my mother passed away after a long journey through dementia. She had a long, productive life, and I'm glad that she's now at peace. I'm thankful for her presence throughout my life, and very grateful to be with my extended family for Christmas, so we can comfort each other. Despite all the craziness in the world, it is filled with good people, like my mother, and I'm confident that 2023 will continue to right the direction of the ship we're all sailing on. Blessings and Peace to you all. And thank you, Rob, for all that you do to keep us on course.
I am certain you were a blessing to your mother. I wish you peace and strength at this difficult time.
Happy birthday, and blessings to your mother for having brought you into the world and having made this world a better place.
Thank you for your kind words. :-)
Abrazos. My mother had that same journey. Keep the memories of your mother before this nightmare of a disease robbed her and your family in your heart constantly. ❤️
Thank you Gailee. Hugs for you as well. There are many good memories to hold...
You were your mother’s great holiday gift every year. She wants you to smile on your birthday because it was such a thrilling day for her too. And she lives on through you! You are a very special person if you are here with Robert so she did well. Blessings to you.
my sentiments exactly!
Oh my gosh, Denise, I'm so so sorry for your loss. Your post really touched my heart. I could feel your sorrow ... and your LOVE! Someone once said that sorrow is the price we pay for love ... you have had much of both!! I will hold you in my heart this weekend!! xx's
Cecilia, you're so sweet. Thank you for that! You can't have rainbows without the rain... ♥️
I hope that all of you who have commented and liked my post will see this. Thank you all so much. I had no intention of dominating the comments of this post (hopefully, I didn't!) - but all of your responses have been so beautiful and helpful. Because of the holidays, I haven't publicly announced her passing to very many people, but this seemed to be a safe place to share, and I was certainly right about that! As with HCR, Rob has created a community of intelligent, kind-hearted, and sensitive people, and I'm so glad to be part of it. I wish you all a blessed Christmas and as I've seen Connie Schultz write, "if you are struggling, may the day land gently." Peace to you all. ~~ Denise
Dear Denise,
You have suffered a lengthy loss, watching your mother with dementia. No matter how they pass, losing our mothers is so very difficult. I hope you can look back at the wonderful memories of time shared with her and that will bring you some peace and a smile.
I lost two cousins, both unexpectedly, this year. One was like my older brother. I feel your sadness. I hope sharing time and memories with other family members during the holidays will be a comfort. Merry Christmas.
Thank you. I'm so sorry for your losses as well.
Sending sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. Wishing you peace.
Thank you so much.
Denise, a warm virtual birthday hug to you.
It was in this group that I shared the passing of my mom who died during the lock down. I was only with her via FaceTime when she passed. It was a kind friend in this group that shared the following which has been my comfort every day since…
In Jewish teaching, the proper thing to say about her passing is "May her memory be for blessing." When we say that, the blessing implied is this: it is up to those who bear her memory to keep her goodness alive. We do this by remembering her, we do this by speaking her name, we do this by carrying on her legacy.
Thank you for sharing your moms memory with us. May her memory forever be a blessing.
That is so beautiful. Thank you Betty. I'll always remember that.
Happy birthday. Remember the good times and spend it making new memories.
Denise, your beautiful post brought me to tears.You’ll be in my thoughts this holiday season and I’m grateful you’ll be surrounded by family. My dad had a similar journey and passed away last year.Every day is a gift…
Oh Denise, So sorry that you lost you mom. Try to enjoy your birthday- you know that your birth was one of the most special experiences of your mom’s life!
We lost mum in April. I have lost so many dear friends but nothing- NOTHING- is the same as the physical loss of mum. Mummy had dementia and we felt we had lost so much that we’d be ready for the actual loss… not so… when she physically went it was unspeakably difficult. It’s so weird that you have this person that, you know , you’ve been with the longest. I’ve tried to be open to the waxing and waning of feelings and remembering-but this is a toughie. Wishing you peace. RIP Denise’s mom- Run Free!
That is right on target, Karen. Thank you for your understanding.
Denise, I remember my mother's last 10 years with Alzheimer's. Her passing was both a deep loss and, though it's a little tough to admit, a blessing for our family. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. May you be comforted by the gathering of your family as well as your community right here.
Happy birthday. So sorry for your loss. 🥰
Thank you. I'm so glad to be part of this little community.
Hello Denise, sending many warm thoughts your way. Take care in this difficult time.
So very sorry for your loss, Denise. Sending love and good wishes for your birthday tomorrow and your new year to come. Glad you get to be with your extended family for the triple occasion.
My Christmas list will be complete when Donald John Trump is indicted on the charge of negligent manslaughter in the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans during the COVID pandemic.
Thank you. My sentiments exactly for 2 years.
Yes!!!!!
Wishing you a blissful Christmas with your new grandchildren. You and your marvelous “managing editor” have made the world better for them and for so many of us!
I an Nancy, too, join you in wishing Robert Hubbell and magnificent wife-Editor Jill Hubbell a blissful Christmas with your grandchildren, in gratitude for making the world a better place, and for making the world more coherent and bringing Light for this community.
A Holiday gift from Congress; passed the omnibus bill funding the government for another year, and without major compromises on major programs. One big potential source of blackmail has been eliminated for the following several months. The reptilian GOP candidate for House speaker may fail to achieve his goal. It's the entire House who must approve of the speaker, lending the slender minority of Dems significant influence over that election. Wouldn't it be amazing if the House elected someone with principles and a spine?
Yes to the omnibus bill. I've been thinking about the House leadership a lot. Thirteen R's who don't want to spend the next two years with a McCarthy leadership who join with the D's would make a difference. Been imagining Nancy working the phones to pull a deal together. :) My New Year's wish.
Yes! Let’s wish upon a star or two 🌟🌟
Yes it would be. I am so tired of stupid.
My year-end thought is that, finally, in 2023 Donald Trump will learn why “indictment” is spelled with a “c”, because in the real world, unlike the world on TV, C is for Criminal, not Cookie.
Happy Holidays and a peaceful and productive year ahead. May all the good people become better and all the bad people become good.
Simple, but beautiful!
Thank you. Robert, For some reason the thought popped into my mind as I was writing th greeting aas you say a simple phrase yet does carry a vital message if we are to improve life on this planet. It is the negative and destructive dishonest and greedy people who ruin it for everyone They may individually gain a lot materially, but as the wise man said, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul. . During a near death type experience many years ago I feel I caught a glimpse of an afterlife comprised of many levels of consciousness, each level created by the collective minds of the inhabitants. And it appeared very important how we think and act in this short span on earth. because apparently we take that very sy state of consciousness with us. Even if this was an hallucination it makes sense that we'd be happier being a good person rather than a bad one. And it stands to reason that as I say above the more people are thoughtful and kind and compassionate the happier an entire community would be. I can't imagine Putin is a very happy man for all his riches, or Trump for that matter, or anyone like them. You can't be resentful, angry and hateful and happy and contented at the same time. Of course it isn't easy for a good person to be happy either without adequate shelter or food, but if human greed were eliminated many more lives would be much improved.
Deep appreciation for the many contributions to saving democracy in 2022. We are well seasoned for 2023 preparing for 2024! Wishing peace for all.
~ Ellie Kona on behalf of the Tending to Democracy Giving Circle
Thanks, Ellie. Please give my warm regards to the Tending to Democracy Giving Circle, and thanks for your outstanding contributions (monetary and otherwise!) in 2022!
Everyone, go a little overboard in extending kindness.
We can tip the balance of what people are experiencing,
and remind them there are good people in the world.
The best to each of you!
My son-in-law has a tee shirt that always reminds me that he is a good person. It says, "In a world where we can be anything we want, be kind."
I got a button from the Northern Lights catalog that reads: "Be kind or BE QUIET."
Love the T-shirt message. Now I know what to ask for in 2023!
Have a wonderful week of holidays; and here’s to a new year filled with kindness, health, contentment and peace.
Wow. Your son in law is a keeper!
….I probably did not have to tell you that!
Beautiful, Beverly Falls.
I watched the Christmas greetings offered by you and your wife Jill and I must say that I have *never* seen a more decorated Christmas tree than the one behind you! I'm sure all the ornaments have significance and that's what makes the tree so amazing!!! Next year you'll either need a bigger tree or a second tree for the rest of your ornaments!!!! Enjoy Christmas with your growing family and make memories for your grandchildren. Many thanks for teaching us so much this past year; husband your strength for the coming years; you're going to need it -as will we, your readers!
The ornaments on the trees are a history of our lives together. Jill can tell you the provenance of every ornament. We have so many ornaments that we host a tree decorating party with a dozen friends. Usually takes about 90 minutes to hang all of the ornaments. (The tree is artificial, so we re-use every year.) Jill removes all of the ornaments and packs them lovingly in their original boxes or ornament organizers. That takes about 2 days!
You are my first cup of tea companion every morning now for maybe a year thanks to a friend who encouraged me to check you out. I can only add my thanks for your optimistic but also gutsy take on all the ,***,,## "issues". Cautiously optimistic that 2023 will see a kick ass DOJ . Cheers!
"Peace on Earth" indeed!
Happy Holidays to you and your family...May 2023 be a more peaceful and productive year for this country.
Happy hanukkah from Portlandia!
No words; just well wishes to the Hubbell family, and all who follow them!
I hope you and Jill have a happy Christmas with the grandchildren. You are proud of them now, and someday they will be proud of what have accomplished and all the lives you have influenced.
After this year, gratitude is essential. Thank you.