Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve 2008...

12/24/2008

What a great day this is going to be.  I am as excited as if I were a four-year old.  In just a couple of hours The Nancy and I are off to Bridgeport, WV to spend Christmas with daughter Jackie, her husband Ken and the four munchkins...though they are not so small any longer.  Needless to say, this is going to be the best Christmas ever, because I declare it so.

Merry Christmas to each of you, and thanks from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my life.

And that is all I have to say about that…

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Tis the Season...

12/16/2008

I am not a fan of winter weather.  I do not enjoy the cold, and I sure as hell do not enjoy snow, except, maybe, when it is over 100 miles away in someone else’s neighborhood or 100 miles from wherever I happen to be.  Then it is not so bad.  But Christmastime, cold or not, snow or not, is one of my most favorite times of the year.

Christmas is in the air.  I can smell it and I can taste it.  I get tingly just thinking about Christmas, about the decorations, the tree, the food, watching kids, shopping for presents, and even writing the Christmas checks when we get tried of shopping, and again, watching children – that’s what I enjoy the most.  Children are Christmas in its purest form.

Christmas has its own smell, you know?  It’s the festive greenery, the Christmas card stock, the candy and cakes, and even the wrapping paper.  Even fruit seems to smell better at Christmas, especially tangerines and apples.  Does the ribbon have a smell?  I know roasted nuts do.  Go ahead, sing the song.

I love people more at Christmastime.  Well, probably not more, just better.  It is easy to be nice at this time of the year.  You know, like you don’t flip them off as easily and other stuff.  This is the time most of us speak to strangers, whether with a “Merry Christmas” or the politically correct “Happy Holidays.” Too bad we don’t have Christmas all the year long.  We certainly could use it in this time of economic chaos.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a Jesus freak.  Hell, I am not anywhere near religious.  But this time of year, this Season of Giving, is the result of a baby being born a few thousand years ago and changing the world.  Whether you subscribe to it or not, “giving” is what it is all about.

With all that said, I am anxious to head home from my office, where I should be working and not writing this stuff, go drink a couple of brews, and to re-read and edit this before I post it.  I will turn the lights on my fake Christmas tree and smell the fake Christmas tree scent I sprayed on it.  After I change into my comfy clothes I will sit back and get myself into the Christmas mode for the rest of this Tuesday evening.

And that is all I have to say about that…

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Thinking of My Sister...

12/07/2008

My sister Diane passed away early Tuesday morning in Bel Air, Maryland. 

Diane was just sixty-eight years old, but looked much older; much, much older.  About six weeks ago my sister broke a hip.  Since that time she had pretty much refused to do what was necessary for her rehabilitation.  She would not get out of the bed because she said it hurt her.  The effect of her refusal hit her hard the Tuesday before Thanksgiving via a massive stroke leaving her with no use of the left side of her body and unable to swallow.  Her death came peacefully.

My sister is in a better place now.  Her spirit is reunited with the Soul of God.  Her ordeal is over.

As I have written in the past, I am fully responsible for what happens to me in my life.  I accept that.  My sister did not.  She was a miserable person and chose to be just that. 

I believe no one dies until their purpose for being on this planet is complete.  Diane’s purpose may never be fully defined, but I learned from her in her last months.  Perhaps hers was to teach me humility; or maybe to teach it to others?  Maybe she was to show us or experience herself how one can drag oneself down to the very bottom emotionally?  Perhaps it was to teach us the meaning of love?  Maybe her purpose is not yet complete and will be revealed as her funeral takes place?  Life is above all a mystery.

Diane was hard to love, but I loved her nonetheless.  She was my sister.  The last time I saw her she looked very bad.  She had no life in her sad eyes, no joy in her heart.  She was just there; she had no quality of life.  Sad!

In a way I will miss her, and in another I will not.  She deserves whatever joy being reunited with God may bring her, especially if the spirit of my mom and dad are nearby.  She longed to be with them.  She will like that.

And that is all I have to say about that…