It's a collection of editorials or even mini-sermons. I know it's wrong to give unwanted advice if you want to have a few friends. But I can't fight the urge that I know better than they what they should or shouldn't do. I have all this wisdom and experience and it's such a shame not to share it!
Our culture needs some sound advice and I'm just the one to give it.

A quick browse through your blog shows you've got many and varied interests from reading to music to an exploration of tradition.

I could best relate to the food part and thought I'd stop here a moment. It's always fascinating to look at traditions and where they come from and how they change when they are taken from the place they are rooted. Funny thing, I've never associated Ireland with sea food - but of course. Knowing I can eat from the sea, I need to add it to places I'd like to visit.

As yet, I haven't made it to the islands.

"Will it help us go on without him?" That's a question time will answer for you.

If nothing else, for now it remains a connection, and as you've mentioned, learning things about him he didn't speak of.

It's interesting to imagine what our dwelling places tell others about us. (I'm looking at all the stuff cluttering my desk - all related to interests and people who mean a lot in my life.)

May you find peace in beautiful remembrances of "Mr. Christmas".

"Mr. Christmas." What a beautiful description. With that name, I can almost picture him.

The wake speaks of a life worth celebrating. Hang on to those beautiful memories.

Mia

"The bottom line is we've lost someone special and none of our lives will be the same. That we share."

Yes, that's the truth you hold on to as you each walk your own path of grief.

My condolences on your loss.

Mia

A fabulous sentiment to open the New Year with.

Mia

Amazing! Great Work!! Are you working on any romance novels? Some of my friends are and they are turning out well. :) Good Luck!

Loss is unique to every one of us, even though all of us must go through it at some time. Your brother was dear to you, and it takes a lot of time to heal and reconcile to his absence. Writing your feelings is one of the most comforting ways to do that. Hope you and your elderly father find peace in your brother's memory.

You like to give advice. So tell me, do you work in the health field? Sounds like you know what there is to know about flu shots.

You are an advocate for them. I'm not. I'm also not in either of those critical brackets.

I'm more of an advocate for taking responsibility for day to day health, watching what we eat, taking vitamins, drinking lots of fluid, getting a proper night's sleep, booking off work when a potential flu bugs brewing and staying away until its well taken care of.
Different perspectives. But we've got to do what we believe in.

Get your flu shot. I'm heading to the kitchen to brew up some detox tea.

Should you care to stop by my blog it's "A Microcosm of the Macrocosm"  I'm more into food than giving advice.

Mia

Yes, that's true, just another celebrity couple.

I think in the boy's case it will depend on whether he has known all along that Arnold was his father, because then he has already been prepared for the day it became public knowledge.

Thank you for reading.

I'm sticking by my main point, that the media overstepped. Some things we just don't need to know.

You bring up some interesting points that I didn't address. I really don't care what happens to Arnold. I've never been a fan. He seems to be the usual narcissitc celebrity. I agree with you that Arnold and Maria can deal with the press without harm; I never questioned their personal experience with the press.

I also believe forgiveness is better than punishment, especially for a penitent person. But it's not our place to forgive or dondemn. Keeping the media in line actually protects people involved, avoiding "punishment". They have to live with the consequences of their actions without the judgment of everyone who reads, watches TV, or listens to the radio.

Unfortunately, stories don't die like we might wish. The stigma remains. And what we often think doesn't bother children actually haunts them all their lives. We adults never know until the child grows up and tells us.

When Maria married Arnold, I did think maybe there was more to him than what met the eye. Maybe he was a person of substance. I never followed the gory details of their lives, and am really sorry I've heard so much about them of late. They're just another celebrity couple, and nothing very special after all.