Holidays - Remembering - and Pity...

Okay so  this is a bit late, in fact quite late, in posting.  But before the year officially ends, in about 12 hours, I wanted to post this because it is important enough for us to remember what happened this year and bring it forward into our future.  

The Holidays always seem to approach on the sly...  We KNOW what month it is, we KNOW, September brings about the return of the school chores and goals (although some of our students start in August), and we KNOW that October brings us the hustle and bustle of either buying or making costumes for children, friends, family, and ourselves.  Oh yes, then there's the candy to purchase (because none of us want scrambled eggs on the front of our house or cars) and we smile as our doors open to the the brightly colored and imaginatively dressed youngsters screaming "Trick or Treat"!  But as we turn the page of our calendar it seems that we are always "Blind Sided" by the coming of Thanksgiving in November and tremble in our shoes at the first days of December, anticipating what we will have to, eventually, endure at the end of the month.  Decorations, music, entertaining, gift buying, wrapping, shipping, meal planning, it's enough to make you weak in the knees and "down for the count"!  Do we continue with a scotch or spiked eggnog in our hand?  Do we roll along the days with a smile and a whistle, hiding our inevitable fears? Or should we take the approach during this time that "No Holiday will Spoil the Quality Time With Our Families"!?

I believe that we all try to prepare earlier in the year or at least have given into that thought.  I USED to buy my gifts for family and friends well in advance.  As soon as I knew what my precious little ones (at the time) wanted, I went on the hunt for a sale for just that product.  My Twin Doll, T-Rexasaurus, Ninja Turtle Action Sets, Ballerina Shoes and Tiara, you name it I had it!  The only problem was that by the time I was ready to pack these beautiful gift morsels I had forgotten what I purchased and where I hid them!  Oh Dilemma!!!  Realizing, now, that only a week or two separated my current state of diminishing euphoria and total devastation, I had to plow my way through the sea of people, politely of course, and embark upon the adventure of "Getting into the Spirit" and getting out the charge card.  

Emerging from the shopping center, bright lights flooding the parking lot and diminishing as I reached the outer edges to the street parking, I (as I am sure many of us) was exhausted but  satisfied with the knowledge that my children would be happy.  With not much more than moths flying from my purse and my last ten dollar bill, the bright light of a Starbucks filled my head with the thought that "Yes, I did it! I survived and won yet another Christmas Shopping Season!"  I victoriously sauntered into the inviting coffee cafe for my reward and ordered my triple shot, grande, soy 

latte, with a sprinkle of chocolate (for the holiday season), and handed over my last ten dollar bill.  Smugly I left a dollar tip, really for the incredible froth created from the soy milk, and proceeded to my car.  Men from the local fire department were coming out of the grocery store, next door, with half empty barrels of toys for the less fortunate children in town.  I overheard them saying that this was probably not going to be enough for all the children this year. I glanced down at my packages upon packages stacked precariously on and around my arms, with my Starbucks Soy Latte perched on top.  It wasn't guilt but it was as if my heart defrosted and burst into flames of what this season was really about!  I realized at that moment, it wasn't the gift of the toy, but the knowledge of the love people and especially families have towards each other that truly make this season a Season of Christ - Christmas!  I shouted for the men to help me.  The best Christmas feeling ever was when I gave all my purchases to the firemen to fill up their toy barrels and had the knowledge that children who probably wouldn't have had any gifts or a loving family, could receive at least one incredible gift and know they are thought of and cared for, even if it was to be given from a firehouse Santa!

I pity those who are self-centered, manipulating, and condescending towards others and lack empathy towards their fellow human beings.  Those that are prejudiced against race or orientation will have a complete section of the world that will never be known to them, which is like a soup that lacks an ingredient.  Controlling persons are afraid of the freedom of others and those that control will lose their control in the long run and be alone and intensely unhappy.  These people will never feel the intense joy of knowing the True gift of giving.

I continue to give to those who have less than I, but I don't wait only until Christmas, and not just with gifts.  I hope that I have shown my children and family that giving time and sharing with others, year round, is what life is about!   I am very proud of my children that also have the love and kindness enriching their lives to their very core and have learned to give to others throughout the year. 

I bid you all a Wonderful Holidays, Great Memories and a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Joyful New Year.

                                                                                    HAPPY 2012!!!!