Moments in Time

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!  - Charles Dickens

Ahh the holidays are here. Thanksgiving is one day of the year where we not only show our appreciation and gratitude for being alive, but for having such wonderful friends and loving family. It is usually said that we should not be not thankful just on Thanksgiving day, but every day. Students enjoy being out of school (and I’m really enjoying my break), Black Friday and the other holiday sales to encourage to buy, buy, buy everything for low prices (Christmas presents), the delicious food, cold weather, and memories occur doing the holiday season. I got so many text messages, and random ones, many Facebook statues, and blog posts all saying the same thing in different ways wishing people a happy holiday and showing how much they thank their family and friends for being in their lives. That is what Thanksgiving is about- thanks for giving and giving thanks to where it is due. I love the holidays; especially when it is cold and all the leaves on the ground. And I have started listening to Christmas music already since they play it on the soft rock radio station since November 12th. There is something about this time of the year that make me feel warm inside. I just love it.

Christmas is the holiday that has a special meaning just as Thanksgiving does. Christmas brings together the family to one location to celebrate and find true meaning of the reason for the season. Presents are all unwrapped by the children and at young ages some may not think about the meaning of Christmas, but rather than getting toys. When we get together on this day, it brings back childhood memories for everyone. There is nothing like laughing and crying over the stories about different family members and maybe even some stories about you. I enjoy getting gifts, but now I can not seem to know what I want. So I really don’t tell people what I would like rather give me something where I can buy myself something. Gift cards, checks, money orders, cash are acceptable (laugh out loud). But really, I’ll be satisfied with whatever gift I may get and if I don’t get anything, then I will still be happy. Often times it is not all about receiving, but giving unto others-whether big or small-will show that someone care and truly that is just the right thing to do. For if someone can not make it for Christmas for some reason or another, we know they are with us in spirit and a phone or text message away. This is where technology intervenes to allow us to talk to those who are in great distance.

If there is a friend or someone who may not be jolly during this season of Christmas, don’t be a Scrooge. Do something to show that you care and wish them a Merry Christmas or some sort of words of kindness. We should do all we can to help the homeless, being mindful, that some people act homeless because they can always go to a home and have a fancy car and we may not even know because they are on the street holding a sign. But just out of generosity and your heart, help someone out this Christmas. Yes, you may meet other people who want to be Scrooges, but that just may be their personality. They will be who they are and not let our kindness and theme of family and blessings in their way of not liking Christmas for one reason or another. We should not want to steal Christmas for others. These days people forget about Christmas and they go buy presents without even thinking about the season or the meaning. So through all the presents (entertainment wise), be thankful and let us not forget the reason for the season.

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. - Dr. Seuss