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It’s Christmas Eve, and there’s a special kind of magic in the air. For many, today is filled with arrivals—family traveling near and far, pulling into driveways with full hearts and packed cars. For some, it’s the first time all year they’ve been able to hug those they love, to sit around the same table and truly be together.

For others, Christmas looks a little different. There are empty chairs and familiar voices missing. We quietly mourn the loved ones who won’t be with us for another Christmas. Their absence is felt deeply, woven into the memories we carry and the traditions we continue in their honor.

Today is about hugging necks a little tighter, catching up on life, laughing about old stories, and yes—eating far too much. It’s about playing Christmas games, exchanging gifts, and doing our very best to slow down and savor each moment, knowing just how precious they are.

Christmas Eve reminds us that joy and sorrow can exist side by side. It’s okay to feel both. What matters most is love—shared, remembered, and held close.

From my heart to yours, I wish you and your family a beautiful Christmas filled with warmth, comfort, and moments that stay with you long after the lights are put away. 

Mary

When Toxicity Takes Up Too Much Space

Have you ever struggled to understand why someone you love treats you so poorly? You try to communicate honestly, yet somehow your words are instantly twisted. You replay conversations in your head, wondering how things went wrong—again. And that awful, familiar feeling sets in… constantly walking on eggshells, choosing words carefully, bracing yourself for the next reaction.

So what do you do?

Do you keep trying, hoping things will change? Or do you walk away?

This is the conundrum so many of us face, and it’s never an easy decision—especially when love, history, or family ties are involved.

For me, life is short. Far too short to be surrounded by constant negativity. I can’t keep pouring my heart into relationships that drain my spirit. I can’t continue to be anyone’s punching bag, emotionally or otherwise. At some point, self-preservation has to matter.

Sometimes you really do need to step back and take a hard, honest look at the relationship. Ask yourself the tough questions:

Is all the kindness one-sided? Do they take and never give? Do they seem to enjoy putting you down rather than lifting you up?

Healthy relationships aren’t perfect, but they are safe. They allow room for growth, mistakes, forgiveness, and honest communication. Toxic relationships, on the other hand, thrive on control, manipulation, and imbalance. They leave you exhausted, questioning your worth, and doubting your own feelings.

Walking away doesn’t mean you failed. It doesn’t mean you didn’t love hard enough or try long enough. Sometimes walking away is the bravest, healthiest choice you can make. It’s choosing peace over chaos, clarity over confusion, and self-respect over constant hurt.

Protecting your heart isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. You deserve relationships that bring out the best in you, not ones that break you down piece by piece.

Here in the Gap, we value community, connection, and kindness. But even in close-knit places—and close-knit families—it’s okay to set boundaries. It’s okay to say, this no longer serves my life.

Let go of what poisons your peace. Make room for relationships that feel like home, not battlefields. 

Life has a way of getting busy—especially this time of year. The calendar fills up, the to-do lists get longer, and before we know it, we’re moving from one day straight into the next without ever slowing down. That’s where a Simple Saturday comes in.

Occasionally, we all need permission to take it easy. A day for self-care. A day to reset both body and mind. Not a day to see how many work projects can spill over into the weekend. Not a day for running errands, attending parties, or rushing from store to store. Just a day to rest.

Simple Saturday looks different for everyone. Maybe it’s having a drink or two. Maybe it’s sitting on the porch with a tall glass of sweet tea, watching the beautiful sunrise or being amazed by all the colors that arise from those wonderful Texas sunsets. It’s taking a moment to look around and notice the beauty that often gets missed when life is going 90 to nothing.

2025 has absolutely zoomed by. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and suddenly we’re wondering where the time went. Don’t let every day blur into the next. Give yourself a pause. Breathe. Be still.

This Saturday, choose simple. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you. 

Mary

Celebrating the Magic of Christmastime

It’s officially December in the Gap, and you can feel Christmas everywhere you turn. Twinkling lights, beautifully decorated trees, wreaths on doors, and festive displays around every corner—there’s just something about this season that fills the heart a little fuller.

If you’re anything like me, this time of year means decorating… a lot of decorating. From work locations to little corners around town, I’ve been spreading Christmas cheer wherever I can. And of course, I always make time to bring that magic home to the Gap, too. Because what’s Christmas without creating a warm, sparkling space of your own?

And then there’s the shopping—oh yes, the shop, shop, shop season is officially here! Local businesses, small-town treasures, and all the goodies that make gift-giving extra special this time of year.

But in the middle of all the glitter, gift bags, garland, and go-go-go… I always try to slow myself down and remember what Christmas truly means.

For me, it’s a celebration of Jesus’ birthday. It’s time with family, laughter, love, and gratitude. And this year I’ll also be celebrating my 21st wedding anniversary with my husband on Christmas Day. A double blessing wrapped into one beautiful holiday.

So this month, my goal is simple:

Stay focused on the good.

Stay rooted in the meaning.

And savor every twinkle, every moment, every breath of my favorite time of year.

Here’s to a December filled with joy, purpose, and all the feel-good magic the Gap has to offer. Merry Christmas, friends! 

Mary

This week, let’s talk about something many of us quietly struggle with: learning to conquer our past so we can fully enjoy our present. We all carry things—old hurts, buried anger, moments we replay even though they no longer serve us. They weigh us down in ways we don’t always notice, stealing joy from the life happening right in front of us.

But here’s the powerful truth: you don’t have to stay tied to what once was.

You can face those memories, acknowledge the pain, and then choose to release it. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting—it means freeing yourself from the grip of what you cannot change.

When you stop dwelling on what went wrong, you make room for what’s going right.

When you shift your mindset from heavy to hopeful, your world opens up.

And when you allow yourself to focus on the good, you start to see just how much good there truly is.

So on this Motivational Monday, give yourself permission to step into the light of the present.

Let go. Breathe deep. Choose positive thoughts.

Enjoy all the beautiful things your life has to offer—because they’re waiting for you to notice them.

Here’s to a fresh week, a fresh mindset, and the freedom that comes from conquering your past. 

Mary

Cherishing Time with the Next Generation

There’s something about a Feel Good Friday that just hits a little sweeter when it’s wrapped in family moments—especially the moments you get to spend with the next generation. This week gifted me one of those heart-filling, soul-warming experiences: time with my precious granddaughter.

It’s amazing how a tiny human can make the whole world slow down. The way she studies every move I make—every sound, every smile, every silly expression—as if she’s discovering life one gesture at a time. You can feel the magic in those moments, the kind of magic that only exists between a grandparent and their grandchild.

There’s a bond there that forms instantly. A bond built on love, wonder, and a whole lot of joy. Watching her mimic my sounds and copy my gestures makes me realize just how much influence we have on these little ones, and how important it is to pour love, patience, and positivity into them. They’re soaking it all in.

This Feel Good Friday, I’m celebrating that irreplaceable connection—the honor of being someone she looks to, listens to, and learns from. The next generation reminds us of who we were and inspires us to be even better for who they’re becoming.

Here’s to the grandbabies who light up our days… and to the beautiful blessing of watching them grow.

Mary

Every once in a while, nature surprises us with a burst of color so bold and breathtaking that it stops us right in our tracks. This week’s Wildlife Wednesday star? The ever-magnificent peacock.

There’s something almost otherworldly about seeing a peacock relaxing in the grass, its feathers shimmering like living jewels. Those deep sapphire blues, vibrant greens, and intricate patterns look like they were painted by an artist with the most perfect palette. No matter how many times you see one, their beauty never feels ordinary.

But beyond the feathers, peacocks have personalities that shine just as brightly. Confident, curious, and full of flair, they know exactly how to capture attention—whether they’re strutting proudly or simply resting in the shade. They bring a little magic to the moment without even trying. Occasionally, we’re lucky to witness wildlife that reminds us to slow down and soak in the beauty around us. This stunning peacock is just one more example of how nature never fails to amaze.

Happy Wildlife Wednesday, friends—may your day be as vibrant as a peacock’s tail

-Mary

Thanksgiving week is officially here — a time filled with family gatherings, delicious food, laughter, traditions… and yes, sometimes a little bit of chaos. We all have those family members we can’t wait to hug, and a few who test our patience before the turkey’s even out of the oven. There’s cooking, baking, decorating, cleaning — a whirlwind of “to-dos” that can make the week feel more stressful than joyful if we let it.

But today, let’s pause.

Let’s take a deep breath, step back, and remind ourselves what this week is really about.

It’s about gratitude.

It’s about seeing the good — even if the not-so-good feels louder right now.

It’s about choosing to slow down long enough to enjoy the moments that make the memories we cherish.

As you move through Thanksgiving week, look around your life and intentionally find the blessings. They’re there — in the people who love you, the traditions you hold dear, the warmth of your home, the food on your table, and the small joyful moments that often get overlooked.

And for those who are missing a special someone at the Thanksgiving table this year… take a moment to remember them. Smile at the memories. Feel their presence in the stories told and the love still felt. But don’t let grief steal the joy of the present. Honor them by embracing the people who are with you now.

So here’s your Thanksgiving motivation:

Be grateful. Be present. Be gentle with yourself.

Take time to enjoy the baking, the decorating, the family moments — both the sweet and the challenging. This week only comes once a year. Let’s make it meaningful.

Happy Motivational Monday, friends.

May your week be full of gratitude, peace, and moments worth remembering.

A Moment With an Elk I’ll Never Forget

One of my all-time favorite places to wander is a good zoo. I know there’s a divide when it comes to animals in captivity—and I understand it. In a perfect world, every creature would roam free across wild landscapes without fences or boundaries. But our world isn’t perfect, and sometimes a zoo is the only safe haven a species has left. Sometimes, it’s the only way we’re able to see animals that no longer exist in the wild. And sometimes… it’s where unforgettable connections happen.

That brings us to today’s Wildlife Wednesday.

Last weekend, during our travels, my husband and I met the most breathtaking elk. Massive, regal, and gentle-eyed, he carried himself like the quiet king of his space. We approached expecting curiosity—but what we didn’t expect was how deeply he looked back at us, as though he were studying us just as much as we were admiring him.

We spent more time with him than we meant to, just soaking in the moment—his soft snorts, the way his ears flicked toward every sound, the calm strength in his posture. And then, out of nowhere, he leaned in and licked my husband like a little puppy. We both burst out laughing, surprised and absolutely charmed. It’s not every day you get puppy kisses from an elk!

And the hardest part? Saying goodbye.

As we walked away, he watched us with that quiet, sad stare that tugs at your heart—the kind that makes you want to turn around and stay just a little longer. If I could’ve brought him home with me, I honestly would have. But since I couldn’t, these words—and the photos we captured—will have to hold onto that memory for us.

Some wildlife encounters stay with you long after the moment ends.

This one certainly will.

Here’s to the magic of meeting animals, wherever that happens—wild or sheltered—and to appreciating the beauty they bring into our lives.

-Mary

This Feel Good Friday, my heart is especially full. Earlier this week we celebrated Veteran’s Day, and I can’t help but pause and reflect on the incredible men and women who have worn the uniform—and the families who stood behind them with unwavering strength.

I’m blessed to be related to, and personally know, so many brave souls who stepped forward to serve our great country. Their courage, dedication, and love of freedom have shaped the world we live in today. They answered the call, stood the watch, and carried burdens most of us will never fully understand. For that, I will be forever grateful.

But today, I also honor the families—the ones who spent holidays with an empty chair at the table, who celebrated milestones through phone calls and letters, who stayed strong so their loved one could stay focused and safe. Their sacrifice is woven into every moment of service.

So on this quiet November Friday, let’s wrap ourselves in gratitude. Let’s lift up our veterans and their families not just on Veteran’s Day, but every day. Their sacrifices, seen and unseen, protect the freedoms that allow us to live, dream, create, and chase the joys we share here in our little corner of the world.

To all who served—and all who supported them—thank you. Your courage is our comfort. Your sacrifice is our freedom. Your strength is our inspiration.

Happy Feel Good Friday. 🇺🇸

-Mary