Holiday Reflections

As the Holiday season approaches, I wanted to share with you a few thoughts to reflect on.

A long-time friend of mine (as in, since the 1^st grade) has a husband and 3 small children (ages 5, 4, and 2). She also has cancer, and we just recently found out that she has been given 2 months to live.

Suddenly, my friend has had to fit a lifetime into under 30 short years.

Here I was, complaining about my job, while she can no longer work. I was feeling sorry for myself because I'll be single this Holiday season, while she is faced with leaving behind her husband and children, and he is faced with being a single father of three young children (one with special needs) before he turns 30. I was trying to sort out my New Year's Eve plans, while she is making other, necessary plans.

The church held a dinner to raise money so that she could take her family to Disney World for what would be their first, and only, family vacation. She became ill and had to come back early.

It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget what really matters, so this year, instead of grumbling and complaining over Christmas preparations and the company that might be coming, we should be thankful for the Blessings that we do have that are so often taken for granted. I know this year, my friend will be thankful simply for the chance for her family to come together one last time.

We shouldn't get caught up in the Holiday rush and should worry less about what we're giving or getting and worry more about making lasting memories. After all, we never know when they'll be the memories that will have to carry us through a lifetime. I know a young man and 3 children whose memories of this last Christmas together as a family will be the greatest gift that they'll receive this year, and will last far longer than any store-bought item. Those are the things that are important.

I encourage you to take in 'the little things' of the season. Enjoy the togetherness of family, friends, and loved ones. Take in all of the sights, sounds, and smells. Like mom's turkey, cooking in the oven, or your sister and that goofy set of antlers she wears every year, or the way your grandmother's laugh sounds when she is truly laughing. Treasure these. They're far more important than anything you can buy and give as a gift. Don't get lost in the Holiday rush and forget what's important. Enjoy each moment, great and small that the Holiday season brings. Appreciate them for all that they are, because all too soon, those moments will become memories to look back on.

Take care and Blessings you and yours this Season.