December 11th will never be the same for me.

It began as a normal day. I drove my daughter to school. I taught my morning fitness class. I then worked a full day at my computer for my business. I was looking forward to an enjoyable evening. It began with my daughter's piano recital at her piano prep school and then continued with my daughter's band performance at the middle school. Afterwards, we went out for a quick treat at Culver's restaurant in town. Everything was nice, until that point.

We were in Culver's, while we were waiting for our food, that my dad called. He was very upset. I painfully knew what he was going to say.

My mother had been in the hospital, then rehab, then long-term care...and this has been going on for about four weeks. I visited her a few weeks prior with my daughter to be with her. I'm thankful I had that time. My dad could not say the words. I had to ask him. 'Did mom die?' He was sobbing. I knew the answer.

December 11th. 9:30 in the evening. My mother, Michelina Pisano (her family and friends knew her as Margie) passed away at 81 years old, a few weeks before Christmas and just a month shy of her 82nd birthday.

What immediately came to mind was that, shortly before, Amanda played her piano piece at her recital...Angels We Have Heard on High. I can't help but believe the angels in heaven heard that song...and carried my mom away peacefully.

My mother suffered ever since she ended up in the hospital. We'll get through this sad time because we have to. I know she is at peace now. Yet, I am heartbroken. My family is heartbroken.

But there were now a lot of TO DOs to attend to.

Starting the next day, we had to refine and finalize plans and arrangements. Being organized from the get-go made an incredibly emotional time a bit easier for everyone.

We knew ahead of time what airport we'd be flying into, what rental car company we'd use, and what hotel we'd be staying at. We had all the travel web sites, frequent traveler information, etc. very handy.

We knew ahead of time all the people we'd have to contact and had everything written down, along with contact information. This included those who we wanted to inform of my mom's passing, and helpers to run the business and fill in teaching my fitness classes.

We knew ahead of time who would be bunny-sitting our pet, and had a back-up plan in case that young lady would be out of town.

We knew what funeral parlor we'd be using and what most of the arrangements would be. Yes, there were some last-minute details, but they were minor compared to the more emotional decisions we knew we'd have to make.

We knew what church the service would be in and who would be officiating it.

We knew the florist we'd be using.

We knew the funeral car service we'd be using.

My parents made arrangements for their final resting place years ago, and it was paid for, so those details were handled as well.

Yes, it's incredibly difficult to think of any of these details, especially when somebody passes suddenly. In my situation, this was not the case. We knew there was the possibility that my mother would not make it out of the health facilities. So, we were able to review these details ahead of time. That was a blessing.

Trust me, it's very easy to say to yourself, 'I don't want to think about these things.' When I was talking to my dad four weeks ago, those were his exact words to me. I knew, however, that we had to.

Before I flew back home a few days ago, he called and thanked me for helping him get everything in place.

When you know an emotional time is ahead, and you actually can plan ahead, do it. Enough said.

May the spirit of Christmas be forever in your heart...and may you and your loved ones experience both joy and peace this Christmas, sharing the present happy moments, and recalling sweet memories of the past as well.

Say GOODBYE to Your CLUTTER

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All people have clutter to some degree.

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2. Paper Clutter
3. Digital Clutter
4. Emotional Clutter

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GON Organizing Quick Tip: Have a big package to wrap? Here's an easy solution.
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GON Recipes: Holiday bread...a lovely treat to start Christmas Day

getorganizednow.com/recipe-holiday-bread.html





Dirty Little Secret: I do this with my family every Christmas Eve, and it doesn't cost a penny...

getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-family-christmas-eve.html



Mini Challenges: Tick tock...tick tock...Last minute Christmas organizing.here are your mini challenges for this week!
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In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Featured Web Poll: Love fruitcake? Hate it? Take our poll and let us know
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Trivia: What story, written in 1843, sold 6,000 copies by Christmas Day? Find out on our home page.
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Did You Know?: Jingle Bells was NOT originally written for Christmas. Visit our home page to learn what holiday it was actually written for.
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GON Monthly Checklist: Last chance to see our December 2017 Organizing Checklist
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1) Don't say yes to anything that isn't urgent. This is Christmas week. Slow down. Savor the holiday. Don't add anything to your already-full TO DO list that can wait until after the holiday. If possible, reserve the day after Christmas to rest and regroup. If you have to work that day, at least schedule a few quiet hours afterwards.

2) Write thank you notes. Purchase some thank you notes, or grab some you've made by hand. Each day, write out a heartfelt thank you to anyone who has made a difference in your life...those who gave you a gift, those who have done favors for you...anyone who has had an impact on your life.

3) Give back. If you end up receiving gifts this year, it's a great time to give back. Declutter and donate clothes, appliances, toys, etc. that you're no longer using.

4) Make any returns or exchanges. If you received a Christmas gift you're not going to use, return it this week, and either exchange it or accept a store credit. It's better to do this right away. If you don't, that item may end up catching dust in your house for a few weeks...or even years.

5) Prepare for New Year's. What are your plans for New Year's Eve and/or New Year's Day? Write a list of any TO DOs, and begin getting them done and checking them off...one by one.

'Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.'
--Calvin Coolidge




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And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

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