Merry Christmas

In my family, this year, we did our celebrating yesterday. Several people came to my house and we ate a lot, drank a little, and swapped gifts of joy and time together.

I want to thank one and all for keeping to the agreement of charitable donations in lieu of material gifts. It feels so good, as I said in my last post, to be helping those in need.

After my immediate family left, my sister and I did a "drive by" visit to my in-laws - literally only spent 30 minutes there, but just had to see them. It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without a visit with Trish and Jeff.

Then, Sue and I went to visit our friend, Pat, whom we've known since high school. Another fairly short visit as my asthma kicked in - between the dog at T&J's, the cats at Pat's, and the mold in the fantastic blue cheese my brother brought to my house, I didn't have a chance.

Then, Sue and I took a drive to Saugus to see the light displays so many houses put on 0ver there. It was late so many of them were already turned off for the night - but the ones we saw were just great.

I hope all of you had as enjoyable a holiday as I did. Peace to one and all.

Feeling Good This Season

Hello Again,

I have to share my joy today. I announced to my family and many of my friends last year that this year I wanted no material gifts. If they felt they had to give me something, it should be a charitable contibution of some sort. I also told them that except for a few of the younger folk (niece, nephew, pseudo granddaughter) I'd be doing the same.

The idea came to me last year when I realized that we, the givers and receivers, have made this holiday season the craziness that it is - packed parking lots at malls, credit card debt that is out of sight, etc. I wanted to be part of the solution and no longer part of the problem. By staying away from stores during this busiest time of year would make things simpler and hopefully bring back the feeling of how it used to be.

After making numerous donations to worthy causes appropriate for each person, I have to tell you it is a fantastic feeling. I have still honored each person by thinking of them (it's the thought that counts, isn't it?), but have been able to share financially with those more in need. I personally have more "stuff" than I will ever use. I am desperately trying to divest myself of things. I suspect it is the same for most everyone. So a side benefit is that no one has to either re-gift or figure out what to do with some hoo-hah they were given.

Don't think for a moment that I don't believe in giving gifts to those to whom we are close. I've already done that this year when I saw something that was "just right" for someone.

I wish you all a very happy holiday season - Spiritual Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, and Nifty New Year.

Peace,
Judi