Wednesday, December 24, 2008

I Love Christmas!

I have always loved the holidays - all of them! Okay sometimes Valentine's is not my favorite since I don't always have a Valentine.

From Thanksgiving on is a very special time of year for me. I love making dinner, all the preparations, cooking and baking and seeing the joy of family and friends. Decorating the house! It sets a nice precedent for the rest of the year with all the hustle and bustle. I always wanted to the see the sites of NYC during the holidays and it is so much fun and so many people!

Normally I shop and shop and shop. This year has been much different due to a knee injury as it is difficult to shop and also economically. I don't have the same amount of disposable income. I have had to come up with creative ideas and have done so.

What's magical about this time of year is also my childhood. I have wonderful parents. My father has been deceased for over 25 years. For some reason, I really miss him this year and am a little emotional about it too. My dad was a great guy who never really had a childhood. He wanted his children to have a good upbringing and to have great Christmases.

Being the youngest he always tried to trick me to tell what he was getting for Christmas. Of course he always succeeded much to the dismay of my mother and siblings. The last year that all of us were home, Dad was very excited. The tree was beautiful and I knew I found him the perfect gift. He couldn't figure what it was by looking at the package!

After dinner, his words were, "Feed the dogs, do the dishes, it will get dark quicker." Those words are immortalized to me. It was a wonderful Christmas. He died about two weeks later; the day after a North Dakota blizzard. But the memories of family, friends and holidays will be with me forever and make me smile.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Respect - What happened to it?

A group I belong to has recently had several skirmishes within itself. It has not been pretty and sometimes things said or rather written were mean spirited and nasty in my opinion. While I am guilty of some of the complaints, none of it was directed at me.

It has nonetheless had a profound effect on me. I look at members differently and I question if I want to remain a part of the group, distance myself or become an inactive member. A week after the latest skirmish and I am still at this point.

I guess what I don't understand is why everyone cannot get along? This is a question that arises more and more these days in all facets and walks of life. No one can let a differing opinion, point of view or a general comment pass. To the other person they are wrong and have to be corrected. There is a lack of respect for the differing issues. They are simply wrong.

They are many different points of view with personal experience and envionmental issues as well as your DNA influencing your beliefs. Personally I love talking politics with people. I enjoy the different views, how they look at the world, etc. Probably completely different from mine and that is how you grow and expand your views of life. There's no need to change your point of view, just respect others.

With the holiday season in full swing, I wish peace, love, joy and prosperity to all. Most of all I wish happiness. It cannot be bought and can only be found within.

Merry Christmas!