Well kiddies, another Christmas has come and gone....or has it? I, for one, hope not. What the heck does he mean by that, you ask? I will try to explain as best I can. Some of you will get it and some may not but that's o.k because we are all individuals and different.
You see, I am not a religious person. My beliefs are my own and in some ways I don't know what I believe because I am still in search of answers. Maybe I will find the answers I am looking for and maybe I never will but at least I am always searching, considering, weighing. accepting and rejecting. I am a very analytical person and if it doesn't add up I keep searching for what makes sense to me. That being said, I have come to a conclusion and it is this.... the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas should not be relegated to a single day on a calender. Noo...really? you say?lol. I know! It is not like that light bulb came on this morning when I woke up! It is something that I have always known. I know this because my Mom said so, and Mom is always right( well almost always).lol.
This year I was unable to go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. My job schedules vacations on a seniority basis and I haven't gained enough seniority to get these coveted times off. I was, however, able to get two weeks at the beginning of December off. When I arrived at my Moms house the feeling of the holidays was all around me. Snow was on the ground, the tree was in the living room, Christmas carols on the stereo( sorry Mom, Kenny Rogers? Really?.lol) and all the food I could possibly eat! But, when it is all said and done, is this what Christmas and Thanksgiving are all about? No, of course not. The spirit of both holidays is so much more. It is about giving, loving, caring, laughter, forgiveness, etc.... It is the one time of the year that everyone seems to put aside their petty and, not so petty, differences and just lets the spirit take hold. All of this and more was in abundance at Mom's house, as it is every time I go home. There really is "no place like home".
I have heard that some Christians are offended at the fact that non- Christians celebrate this holiday. This has always confused me. I heard a great analogy on the radio as I was driving to my friends yesterday. Remember when, as a kid, you dressed up in your Dads or Moms clothes?You pretended to be your Dad or Mom. The shoes, jacket and hat were all to big at that time but you eventually would grow into these things. Well, Christmas is somewhat the same in that people who may be on the fence about what they believe may grow into it just by trying it on. Even if they don't grow into it they may go on, after absorbing or learning some important lessons, to be better human beings. These lessons on sharing, giving, caring, loving, forgiveness etc..etc... if carried forward past the holiday, would make the world a better place! So, please don't be offended! Look at it more as an opportunity to promote the spirit and lessons of your faith.
My Christmas was awesome, as was my Thanksgiving. You see, I have incredible friends that are more like family than friends. Each year, at each holiday, they open their house and their hearts to me. To Tim, Angela, Makenzie and Alexis, I say THANKYOU sooo much for making me a part of your family and sharing the SPIRIT of Christmas with me. But wait.... it wasn't just me.....they also invited Steve and Chelsea. They also invited others who were unable to make it. They displayed the true spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas, by inviting those of us who couldn't make it home to be with our loved ones, to share in their warmth, love, giving, laughter and sense of family! I just want to say Thank you so much for, if not for them, I would have been home alone and, believe me, it is a much better movie than it is an experience.
What I'm trying to say folks is that the spirit is far more important than just a single day on a calender. Imagine if we take this feeling of love, joy, happiness, forgiveness, caring, giving and laughter forward with us into 2011 and try to treat each day as though it were Thanksgiving and Christmas. Do you think life might be better? More enjoyable? More satisfying?
What do you say kiddies? Want to make a New Years resolution with me? Right here, right now? Let us resolve to carry forth the holiday spirit into 2011 and to do our best, each and every day, to have a positive impact on those around us by implementing the lessons that we learned on these special days. I'm in...how about you?
Love you all and thank you for taking your valuable time to read my thoughts. I hope I was able to impart upon you something you can take with you into 2011. Merry Christmas to you all.
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