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Merry Christmas from West Chester! Thankful Thursday, 12/22/11

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with RE/MAX Preferred RS152252A

It's the last Thankful Thursday before Christmas and in the vortex of holiday happenings and trying to get it all done and showing homes and being the chief cook and bottle washer of our household, I am taking a minute to feel blessed.  I've been fighting a very bad cold for 2 weeks and with all the celebrating, shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking and working that I've been doing, there's been very little time to get better.  Today and tomorrow are two more days filled with real estate and holiday things and for a minute I want to close my eyes and be grateful.  

Deep breath and here we go.  I have a niece who will not be able to be with us on Christmas Eve this year.  The first year in her 25 years on earth that I won't see her on Christmas Eve.  So tonight, my boys and I are driving to New Jersey to see her!  My little girl, the first baby on my side of the family.  I've been loving this child every day for 25 plus years.  

My sons, Mike and Max who went shopping for my presents yesterday.  My boys are the lights of my life and I'm so grateful for them and proud of them.  Big strong handsome young men with kind hearts and a strong bond with me.  Good boys.  I'm very, very thankful for them.

My husband Jack, who God love him, doesn't do a thing that has anything to do with Christmas except buy my presents and search for the world's cheapest Christmas tree.  He had a ball this year going to outlets with his friend and he seems very excited about his purchases for me.  I sent him with a gentle reminer that I am no longer, nor have I been in a very long time, a size 6! lol!  Last night I wasn't feeling very Christmasy and it was 11:00 PM and I was still picking up after everyone and doing laundry and working on the computer and I went in to the living room and told him just one year I would like to be him on Christmas.  He laughed.  Deep cleansing breaths.  :-)

My mom.  She's getting older and I am very grateful that she is still with us.  I will be bringing her to my house after our dinner with my sister Liz, who I am also thankful for, and my little niece.

My friends.  I am reminded everyday of George Bailey and the end of It's a Wonderful Life.  No man is a failure who has friends.  I am blessed with lovely friends, both near and far, who are with me daily either in person or in spirit to lift me up, make me laugh and just accept me, faults and all.

My animals make me smile every day.  No matter what is happening, I am loved beyond measure by my little dog JJ and ignored and loved in equal measure by my two gorgeous cats, Dani and Dusty.

Laughter.  One of my life's biggest blessings is that I am an easy laugher and very easily amused.  It's a blessing that I am thankful for every day.

See.  I feel better already.  I just needed a minute to reflect that this season shouldn't be about how much I get done for everyone but about how much I appreciate that we are all in this life together.

May the peace and beauty of the season remain in your heart and mind.  Carpe Diem!

 

 

Posted by

Susan C. Mangigian

re/max preferred
117 Campus Blvd, Suite 155, Newtown Square, PA 19073

610-719-1700 main office, 610-299-6237 cell 

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Please visit me on facebook:  www.facebook.com/chestercounty360  chester county 360 on facebook

 

Comments (24)

Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Susan - what a nice collage of the people and pets you love...Merry Christmas to you and yours, I hope your Holidays are bright.

Dec 22, 2011 01:55 AM
Christine Bohn
RE/MAX Professionals - Gainesville, FL
The Bohn Team, Gainesville FL

Susan - You are blessed!  You and your family will have a GREAT Christmas!!  

Dec 22, 2011 02:31 AM
Gerry Michaels
Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA
GettysburgGerry Social Meida

Susan, first let me say Merry Christmas to you and your family. Second, I love that you have priorities so well placed, it is all about family, now and forever. Very cool post, thanks for the reminder...

Dec 22, 2011 05:25 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Susan,

Your Thankful Thursday posts are always genuine and inspiring. Merry Christmas my dear friend. Make it the best one you've ever had.

Rich

Dec 22, 2011 06:40 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Off to dinner with my baby niece, my sister, my mom and my boys so I can't respond individually.  Will be back tomorrow.  xxoo Thanks to all and Merry Christmas to you!!  

Dec 22, 2011 07:39 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Hi Susan...

Take more time away from DOING and spend more time ENJOYING! It's Christmas!!!

Dec 22, 2011 02:16 PM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

Your husband and I share Christmas strategies. I love him. I don't even buy a Christmas tree, I go cut one down.

And I'm with Richard...relax...enjoy!

Dec 22, 2011 02:54 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Richard, big deep breaths.  Merry Christmas to you and your family.  I'll be thinking of you tomorrow night when I make my clams and linguine!

Tim, if Jack had to cut one down rather than buy one, we would be decorated one in the yard!  lol!  I will try to relax... so much left to do!  Merry Christmas!

Dec 22, 2011 11:47 PM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

Lovely post Susan. I'm sorry that cold is hanging on. It's hard to get everything done when you don't feel well. You're an amazing woman.

Dec 23, 2011 01:37 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Leslie, I think you are pretty amazing too!  Merry Christmas!  

Dec 23, 2011 03:05 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

What a wonderful post from a wonderful person.  Your family is beautiful Susan, just like you!  I'm glad we have gotten to know each other.  Merry Christmas!!  :)

Dec 23, 2011 05:09 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Jared, I can't tell you how much I enjoy your sense of humor and your strong spirit.  You shine brother and I am proud to know you.  You know what I am dying to say, right?  Can't say it here, but you know what I'd be calling you if I could!

Dec 23, 2011 05:43 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

You have a beautiful family, Susan! 



We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! TPM and Joni!!

Dec 23, 2011 05:54 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

 

Merry Christmas Dear Friend, from Deep in the Heart of Texas!

Zilker Christmas Tree Photo by Dan Herron, Herronstock.com

Dec 25, 2011 12:10 PM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Oh and I laughed out LOUD at the line, "search for the world's cheapest Christmas tree."

;-)

Dec 25, 2011 12:11 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Joni, thanks!

Russell, great shot!  And so true.  We got our tree for $5 this year.  A new low.  Seriously low.

Dec 26, 2011 05:27 AM
Anne M. Costello
Weidel Realtors - Yardley, PA

Susan: Hope your Christ mas was joyous. By the way, I am no longer close to a size 6 and I no longer havea 15 inch neck either! Just Saying..... Happy New Year and Continued Success!

Dec 29, 2011 07:18 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Susan,

You are blessed with many friends!  And a wonderful family!

Happy New Year,

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Dec 30, 2011 03:42 PM
Marie Graham
Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Interior Decorator, Home Stager

SUSAN! FIRST-hope this finds you feeling better!  Second-what a lovely post! We often forget all the gifts we already have, and like Bliz so eloquently put it, doesn;t need wrapping paper. Thanks for sharing your family with us. Happy, Merry, Shiny and Bright to you all. (And 2012 is going to be great...pass it on!!)

Dec 31, 2011 09:21 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Anne, he was smart and steered clear of pants.  Got me some very nice sweaters... size medium!

Happy New Year Ann Hayden!

Marie, back to the doc's I go today... still not 100%.  Thank you for the kind words.  It's my hope that 2012 are great for you too!  

 

Jan 03, 2012 12:45 AM