Psychic Medium Ed

I'd like to be the sort of friend

that you have been to me;

Happy Holidays

Remembering My Two Moms -- Before and After Alzheimer's

Last year I was visiting my Mom and I went to the bedroom to get something.

Before returning, something made me pause and think about how my sisters and I used to sneak into the living room on Christmas morning and after a few minutes of sitting and pondering what was under the tree us three kids would start squealing with excitement, until my mom said it was ok for us to open one gift.

I pictured this in my head as I began to walk back to the den. When I reached the living area, I looked to the right where the living room is and pictured my mom struggling with a disease that will eventually take her from us.

Then I turned to the left and looked down the hallway to the family room, again picturing my mom on all those Christmas mornings, making sure everything was just right before she told us we could start opening our gifts.

I looked all around the house and then back to the family room again where she was full of life.

My two moms.

One sick. One well.

One full of life. One losing every bit of it.

One young and vibrant. One still relatively young, but confused and weak.

My second mom is so fresh in my mind. She’s the one I always picture when I think of my mom. But once in a while, my first mom comes back and I remember who she used to be — who she was before Alzheimer’s changed her so drastically.

Whenever I see a picture of my first mom, I am somewhat surprised to see her. I forget what she looked like back then. I forget how beautiful she was.

The memory of the mom I have had for 50 years of my life has been largely replaced with the memory of the mom I have had the last year. For the past year, I have been missing my first mom more than ever.

As I walk through my Moms house, memories of both mom’s pop into my head almost interchangeably. Sometimes I picture them both in the same room, but the memory of my second mom is much clearer. I have been told the memory of my first mom will return with time and I hope that’s true for me.

But either way, I am so grateful for both versions of my mom and all they have taught me. I am grateful for her beauty, her strength, and her heart. I am grateful for her love.

No matter which mom I picture when I close my eyes, the memory of her love is always there. And I can feel it every single day.

I love you Mom,

Merry Christmas

“There were the useful presents: engulfing mufflers of the old coach days, and mittens made for giant sloths; zebra scarfs of a substance like silky gum that could be tug-o’-warred down to the galoshes; and books that told me everything about the wasp, except why.”

That quote is from a favorite Christmas story. A short work, as crystalline and beautiful and unique as a flake of snow. It’s by Dylan Thomas called, A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

When we were children, our mother would put the record on the stereo and the voice of

Thomas himself reciting it would fill the living room. We’d listen, rapt. Eventually, after many years, my siblings and I were able to mouth along. We’d howl with laughter at so many lines.

I read a story a while back about a young college student and a simple Christmas ad she put

together. It was simply a college student who found her ‘Home Away from Home’ for Christmas. While all her classmates were eagerly making plans with family and friends for their trips back home for the holidays, a junior at a local college in California, was worried she would be the only student left on campus for Christmas. “This time of year is hard,” she said. “Everyone is talking about their cousins, their families, all the things that make up Christmas.” But this particular student didn’t have any of that — and never did. She stated that her childhood was abusive, and she never shared in any of the experiences she heard her classmates talk about. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, the straight A-student posted an ad on Craigslist offering $8/hour to rent parents for the holidays. “Maybe for like a couple hours,” she said, “just be, like, the light of their life for that moment.” She got dozens of responses to her ad — about half from parents who wanted to help, for free of course — and about half from other young people who felt the same way she did. So, she held a meet up Christmas potluck dinner. “People are hurting and broken, and we need each other,” she said. “We need to be loving people. And I think that’s what tonight’s about.” She not only found a mentor for herself that holiday season but matched the needy with the needed. She continues to host yearly meet ups with a potluck Christmas dinner, because no one should ever feel alone on Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy holidays.

Cannot believe we are almost at the end of another year! One filled with surprises, with

blessings, and with its share of challenges.

November seemed to fly by. There was so much going on with work, meetings and school activities. The weather turned a bit cooler with many mornings in the low 30s to freezing. Just cold enough to freeze over the car windows requiring a warmup to defrost prior to moving. Rain came toward the end of the month from Thanksgiving to the end of the month. We watched the leaves start to fall leaving us with an abundant beauty on the trees and on the ground. There is just something about fall that reinvigorates me making me want to be outdoors taking it all in. Our son was overwhelmed with homework taking up a great bit of his evening each day. Needless to say, he wasn’t thrilled with that particular part of his month. We managed a small get away to visit my sister-in-law and family. We drove down stopping to visit my family for a short visit then continuing our journey. The ride is usually about five and a half hours. This time the ride was nine hours and ten minutes as traffic was a mess the entire ride. Patrick and Jaiden ran a 5k turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day. Jaiden ran the race in thirty-two minutes while Patrick made it in 48 minutes. Not too bad especially for Patrick who is not a runner. We managed to get our Christmas tree up when we returned home and have done pretty good at getting most of our shopping completed. I am excited and looking forward to a calmer month of December.

I wish I could find the words to describe how lucky, how blessed, I feel, and how happy I am. Content. At peace. I hope you feel the same way, and if you're going through a difficult time, please know that you're not alone. It might sometimes feel that way, but you have this family of the heart keeping you company.

Thank you for your company. I can feel you at every step of this extraordinary journey, my friend. Happy and safe holidays to you and yours.

Love,

Ed

December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, inspires traditions around the world from hunts for presents to stockings or shoes filled with sweets.

December 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

December 13 is St. Lucia’s Day, which has long been associated with festivals of light. Before the Gregorian calendar reform in 1752, her feast day occurred on the shortest day of the year (hence the saying “Lucy light, Lucy light, shortest day and longest night”).

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day.

December 17 is Wright Brothers Day.

December 18 marks the beginning of Hanukkah.

December 21 is the Winter Solstice- the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

December 25 is Christmas Day, a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

December 26 is Boxing Day (Canada, UK).

December 26 is the first day of Kwanzaa.

On the last evening of the year, December 31, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing!

Here are a few fun dates to remember: Dec. 11: International Mountain Day; Dec. 13: National Violin Day; Dec. 13: National Day of the Horse; Dec. 16: Underdog Day; Dec. 26: National Candy Cane Day

December’s full Moon, the full Cold Moon, appears on Wednesday, December 7, reaching peak illumination at 11:09 P.M. EST.

December’s traditional birthstone is turquoise. It is considered a symbol of good fortune and success. Zircon and tanzanite are also considered to be December birthstones.

December’s birth flowers are the holly (Ilex aquifolium) and the paperwhite Narcissus (Euphorbia pulcherrima)—a relative of the daffodil with lovely white blooms.

December’s zodiac signs are Sagittarius: November 23–December 21, Capricorn: December 22–January 19.

You can now order my book on Amazon.

I would love to ask a favor. Would you mind taking a few minutes to review the book. This can help others understand what to expect when purchasing the book.

This link will take you directly to the Amazon page.

Dear Katelyn,

I’m having a hard time seeing what is next for me in my life. My own path/the path I’m on/or where I am heading doesn’t seem clear.

What should I do?

Hi!

Let me first say - it always feels easier to have something to work towards or focus on. We as humans love having a clear sense of direction, but sometimes it does feel like we don’t.

Spoiler alert: sometimes is key here.

Sometimes if we feel clear headed but cannot tell what is next it is because what is next is beyond our current sense of knowing and awareness. One of the best pieces advice I was ever given, “Let the Universe surprise you.” That is the case in this scenario.

Sometimes if we cannot see what is next then we know that there is something in the present that needs to be addressed, healed, and cleared. It’s usually what we’ve been putting off, and every time it will clear your path.

Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes it isn’t, but every time it’s worth it. ,

Katelyn

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU WOULD LIKE ANSWERED BY KATELYN PLEASE EMAIL US AND YOUR QUESTION MAY BE ANSWERED ON ONE OF OUR NEWSLETTERS!!**

Happy Holidays to everyone. December brings in the energy of tradition and sometimes can feel restrictive. Honor your time alone and time with others.

The three cards pulled are for the 30 days. The first card being the first ten days, the second card being the next ten days, and the last card being the remaining ten days. (Deviant Moon By Patrick Valenza)

1st Card: The Lovers:

Locked in a passionate hold, two lovers embrace by a desert lake. The moon casts a hypnotic trance upon them. A snake injects them with venom. Divinatory Meanings: Love. Passion. Romance. Harmony. Union. Separation. Division. Conflict.

2nd Card: Nine of Wands

Trapped in an underground maze, the masked lad searches for a way out. Resting upon a ledge, he considers giving in to his seemingly hopeless situation. Eight wands mark the path to a possible exit. A ninth wand ignites his resolve to not give up. Divinatory meaning: Stopping to ponder during challenging events. A pause. Summoning the will to continue with a struggle. Hope. Delay. Insurmountable obstacles. Giving up. Lack of motivation or willpower.

3rd Card: Ace of Wands:

he ace of wands heralds the beginning of all that is good as she cradles new life in her arms. Her massive torch is prepared to spread its fire throughout the woods, igniting minds with creativity and passion. Divinatory Meanings: Creativity. Passionate love. Birth. New life. Potential. Good things about to begin. Indifference. Loss of energy. Passivity. Delay in plans or journeys.

Ed,

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, which means people have the tendency to lose sight of their spiritual wellness. However, with all the stressors of the holidays, it is especially important to maintain self-awareness. Whether it be the preparation for parties, the family gatherings, or financial matters, you don’t want these pressures to make your spiritual health suffer. Learn how you can maintain a healthy spirit during the holidays below.

1. Stay Physically Healthy

Christmas is mostly about parties and social gatherings, which means you may over-indulge during holiday festivities. Additionally, the cold weather can also make you feel lazy. If you find yourself continually skipping your workout and gaining extra weight, try to remember that your spiritual wellness is connected to your physical wellness. To fight back against holiday excess, try to do yoga or take a simple walk around your neighborhood.

2. Use Your Time to Reflect

While holidays inundate people with never-ending activities, remember you can also use this time for yourself. If you’re in need of solitude, learn how to say no to a party. Then, find a peaceful place, have some rest, and do a self-awareness test. You can also try to use this time to read influential books on spirituality. As the end of the year approaches, it’s helpful to reflect on how you have spent the year and think of ways to improve in the new year.

3. Be Appreciative

All sorts of things happen during the holidays, both good and bad. You must learn how to deal with it all and decide for yourself how to respond. Instead of dwelling in any misery you may be feeling, appreciate the good things around you and move on from the bad memories. Giving love will make your heart warmer. In return, it brightens the receiver’s day.

4. Go on a Nature Trip

Let’s admit it, as much as we love spending time with families, this is a very stressful season. Instead of working hard to clean the house and cramming a bunch of people together, why don’t you go somewhere new? Immerse yourself in nature over the holidays and make beautiful memories with your family. Having a good view of nature improves your blood flow that helps in boosting both your physical and spiritual health, making this an all-around better option to traditional holiday travel.

5. Keep a Positive Attitude

As much as you enjoy the company of your loved ones, there will always be anxiety there. Whether it’s caused by a toxic relative or the remembrance of unhappy memories, family time can bring up some of the worst emotions. To counter this, learn how to set your boundaries and take control of holiday situations. Additionally, try to keep your thoughts positive and teach yourself to demonstrate understanding in every situation.

Remember…The holiday season is upon us, and we have to spiritually prepare. Continuing to practice a healthy spiritual life will make it easier to overcome your holiday stress. Once you find this inner balance, you’ll be able to appreciate the holidays for what they are: a chance to appreciate all the miracles of life and love.

White Christmas is a film my family has watched together for the last twenty years. With

Bing Crosby’s voice, Danny Kaye’s comedy, some wonderful music, and great dance routines, it has become a beloved holiday classic. And much of the story plays out in Vermont! Many years ago, I watched a play of White Christmas performed as a play by the local high school.

As I thought about the show, I realized that beneath the entertainment were some very profound spiritual lessons that we can carry into our daily lives.

Count your Blessings not sheep!

Next to “White Christmas”, the song “Count Your Blessings” is probably the most well-known

song of this musical. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1954 when the film

first was released. The lyrics suggest that when we’re anxious, it’s important to reflect on our

lives by looking at ways in which we’re fortunate. In fact, using the time in bed to reflect on our day and consider how we were supported and cared for during the day is a wonderful prelude to falling to sleep.

Be aware of the support you have received from others!

In two instances, the story points to events in the past when one person has helped another. Phil (Danny Kaye) saves Bob’s (Bing Crosby) life while they’re serving in the army in WWII. In return, Bob allows Phil to join his musical act after the war. In the second instance, Bob and Phil discover that their former commanding general is running a failing country inn in Vermont. In recognition of the general’s past devotion to men under his command, they plan on staging a Broadway production in the inn to attract some attention and paying customers. There’s a lesson in these sub-plots of not forgetting who helped us get where we are. And looking for opportunities to repay the people who helped us along the way.

Expectations can lead to disappointment!

The show’s stars arrive in Vermont by train looking forward to a wonderful snow-filled

Christmas scene. But when they arrive, there’s not a snowflake to be found. When we have

specific expectations, we can be blinded to the beauty, richness and uniqueness of what life

offers us. The key to happiness lays in appreciating what’s being offered, rather than

lamenting what’s missing.

Don’t believe your thoughts. Check out Reality!

One of the main romances in the story is between Bob and Betty (Rosemary Clooney). After a

rocky start to their relationship, they seem to be falling in love. But Betty hears some second-

hand information that makes her suspicious of Bob and causes her to doubt his integrity. She gets caught up in her thoughts and responds to her feelings. There are some lessons here in handling problems in relationships. If you have a problem with somebody, go to them directly with your concerns. And don’t make big decisions when you’re in an emotionally charged state of mind. As it turns out, Betty misinterpreted the information she had been given. She could have caused a lot less grief if she had simply approached Bob and asked him whether her understanding was true or not. Instead she slipped out at night, abandoned Bob and the show, and left for New York, leaving behind a cryptic note. In many cases, when we have problems or difficulties with someone, we avoid discussing it with them directly. Instead, we may talk to third parties who generally, aren’t in any position to solve the problem. When Bob follows Betty to New York to ask her what’s wrong, she still refuses to have an open, honest conversation with him. This relationship is a lesson in conflict resolution by showing us what not to do.

Have fun and don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself doing it!

At one point in the show the guys perform the musical number, “Sisters”, which was originally

performed by Betty and her sister. They pull up the bottoms of their pants legs and use fans that appear to be made from large, blue ostrich feathers. They look ridiculous, which is

why their performance is so much fun. Most of us are much too concerned about how we look to others. We’d all be better off if we could lighten up and be willing to make a fool of ourselves

from time to time.

Happiness and joy come from serving others!

The main characters in this film dedicate themselves to helping the ex-general who is in trouble, both emotionally and financially. They sacrifice a great deal of time and money to put on a Broadway show at his Vermont country inn. Bob broadcasts a plea on the Ed Sullivan show for ex-soldiers who were under the general’s command to attend the show on Christmas Eve. There’s no question that the kindness and generosity of those who are helping creates an

authentic sense of joy and happiness that’s palpable in the final scene. One of the greatest

satisfactions we can know in life is to see that others have benefitted from our efforts. It’s a

theme in the film that would be applauded by Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa.

White Christmas is a holiday film that was created to entertain. But beneath the music and humor there are some wonderful life lessons to be learned. If you haven’t seen the movie in a while, try watching it again this season.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Patrick....

Ed and Katelyn will be in the office at Wise Wolf Wellness all month long.