Merry Christmas!

I have to admit, this blog is going to be short and sweet because we are so busy with the Christmas Basket Drive!  We partner with Northeast Community Fund each year to provide food, toys, hats and gloves to families in need.  This year, we are preparing over 350 baskets!!!  This morning agencies picked up baskets for their clients and today we are filling the rest of the baskets in preparation for deliveries tomorrow.  It has been a busy and crazy week, but so worth it.  From all of us at Dove, Merry Christmas!!!  I'm headed back to "grand central station" to work on the baskets some more! 

Looking Forward

If asked, my co-workers would undoubtedly tell you that my favorite holiday is Christmas, and has been as long as they've known me.

I do love Christmas. I start counting down around the beginning of July and it drives everyone around me just a little bit nuts. I do my Christmas shopping throughout the year most years, so I don't have a huge list of things to buy all at once. I decorate around Thanksgiving time. I try to get all of the big stuff done and out of the way long before the actual day, so that I can sit back and enjoy it.

But I have to admit that the last few years, I've been looking more forward to New Year's than to Christmas. It's not because I'm a big partier. To be honest with you, I've never been to an actual New Year's Eve party. The most I've engaged in on New Year's is playing a few rounds of UNO with my family.

So why has this become my favorite holiday?

As I've gotten older, I've begun to look forward to New Year's because I see it as a time of calm reflection. I try my best not to dwell on any (and all) failures of the past year, but on the lessons that I learned, on the memories that I made, and on the projects that I started around New Year's last year. Around New Year's I kick into high gear and go on a cleaning frenzy. I discard or donate things I haven't used in so long I can't remember. I usually set at least a resolution or two. So far for 2013, the only one I've made is that I want to read 101 books throughout the year. My friend Ellie did this a few years ago and greatly enjoyed the experience, and I haven't done nearly as much reading as I'd like to lately.

The holiday excites me because I see it as somewhat of a clean slate. And yes, sometimes I fail at my resolutions, but I do always at least attempt to reach my goals. And what is life without goals?

What about you? What are your hopes for the coming year? What goals do you plan to set for yourself?

A note of gratitude

In the next DoveTales Newsletter, many of the staff share by reflecting back on 2012.  If you'd like to recieve the newsletter, please email us at dove@doveinc.org

"When I think of all the blessings I have received throughout the year I am filled with joy. My family has expanded (three more grandchildren this year) and my work family has also expanded (three new staff this year).  However, a most special joy for me has been the growth of my Faith by witnessing　the everyday miracles that occur not only within the perimeters of the program but more often occurring far beyond. Witnessing those who seek services move beyond their crises, their fears, their doubts and reach heights that they never anticipated. Witnessing those who have the opportunity to give; GIVE willingly, has given me great joy this year. Witnessing the community coming together to address issues, develop strategies and implement viable solutions has given me great joy. Despite the cutbacks and pitfalls and other dilemmas, good seems to continuously persevere within this program; this agency; this community. I am witness to it and it makes me grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve. I look forward to the next year of service and the continued strengthening of my Faith."

Darsonya Switzer, Homeward Bound Program Director