So this is Christmas

Christmas has always been a time I have looked forward to. From November 1st until after the New Year, I have Christmas music playing as a reminder of how much I enjoy the time of year. (too bad it has to happen in winter)

People, for the most part, are happier, albeit temporarily. However, it can be a very sad time of year for many for a number of reasons which include loss of job, loss of home (seems like there have been so many fires this month), no one to share family with, and even loss of family member at this time. The list can go on.

With Christmas, there is often a build up with anticipation, until the gifts are open or you get together with family. For me as I get older, the latter is the anticipation. As far as receiving gifts, that anticipation ended a long time ago as a child. As an adult, when you think about the gifts you might receive, often the anticipation of what you will get is much more exciting than the actual gift opening. For the most part you already have all you need, and what you don't get you could go out and just buy. There are times when we have all probably opened all of our presents and thought, "Is this it, is that all I get?" Devastated that you did not get the Nintendo Wii or a new piece of jewelry that you had asked for.
We are a fairly selfish people at times.

All this to say that this Christmas when you don't get what you want (and most likely don't need anyway) think about what other people are getting for Christmas, or what they are even doing at Christmas. When you watch the above video (not an easy thing to do to watch it all) by John Lennon, think about those who are off fighting in a war and risking their lives for you as you sit and unwrap that gift or of people who are wondering where their next meal is coming from. Or think about someone you know who this past year lost a family member or close friend and how for them Christmas will never be the same again. We often taken our gifts for granted. We don't stop to look at the daily gifts that we have in our family, and friends, and co-workers that we see all the time. Unfortunately, we usually only notice the gifts that they were to us after they are gone.

This Christmas, enjoy the times with the people you are with, because you may not have the same opportunity again next year.

Merry Christmas

50TH BIRTHDAY

A couple of weeks ago I celebrated my 50th birthday in Las Vegas and had a great time. Chris joined us for a few days and my brother and his girlfriend surprised us also with a visit and stayed for a few days also. The best tour we took was a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon (probably the best way to see it)...next time I think if we were to take the tour again, we would take the ride where the helicopter lands in the Grand Canyon and you stop for lunch and a walk around the Canyon. A trip I won't soon forget, that we caught on video.