In December we kick off the festivities with St. Nicholas Day on the 6th, St. Lucia Day on the 13th, Hanukkah on the 16th, Christmas the 25th and Kwanzaa the 26th. However your family celebrates the holidays, whether you are African, American, German, Dutch, Swedish or of another nationality or denomination, no matter which deity you chose to worship (or not) try to make amends with estranged family members, disgruntled neighbors, difficult colleagues. Build bridges not walls. Start the holiday season with a thankful heart.
Think less is more when baking, buying, and boxing up. Remember the greatest gift, especially in this fast paced modern society, is not gold, frankincense or myrrh but time together.
So hang on to those traditions that make your family unique. Frost those sugar cookies, bake those spritz, baste that turkey, decorate the halls, and find that special toy, but know the real significance of the season cannot be found on the table or under the tree. It is within us, in our actions, in the way we interact with others.
Cherish friends and family members, near and far. Take a moment to honor the memories of loved ones who have passed on. Slow down. Hold your tongue. Bite your lip. Be patient. Be kind.
Keep in mind that the holidays are not always happy for everyone; real life doesn’t take time out to offer a reprieve from illness and accidents.
Savor this moment. So what if the cookies have burnt edges, the dog eats the ham, the new sweater is ugly, and the package arrives a day late.
We, especially we women, put so much pressure on ourselves to create the flawless holiday, but what makes the day perfect is not all the tra la la, it is simply being together.
Wherever you are, whomever you are with and however you choose to celebrate, remember to give thanks for one another.
Peace be with you and yours.
Sealed with a kiss from Switzerland
I’ll be back in 2 weeks.
Have a wonderful holiday, dear friend. Thank you, as always for your beautiful words and messages. Enjoy your time off. xo
Happy holidays to you too, Kathy. Have a lively time with all those grandsons.
Have a restful, fun-filled festive season Pat. Thanks for making us all so aware of some core values each and every time you put finger to computer key! Love and hugs from down under, Rach xx
Enjoy a wonderful, warm holiday down under with your lovely daughters.
I’m thankful for you, dear friend. Have a blessed Christmas and a happy and HEALTHY New Year. Talk to you this side of the pond.
Blessings right back at ya dear buddy. So glad we stay connected over time and distance.
Beautifully said, Pat! Merry Christmas! Ginny (McMullen) Jacks
Thanks Ginny. Happy holidays to your and yours!
Peace be with you too, Pat. I am so grateful to be friends with you (and with Kathy P.) Merry Christmas.
I, too, am so grateful for our friendship and hope that one day we will all meet together somewhere, somehow.
Well, now, Pat, you wouldn’t be so cavalier about “the dog eating the ham” if you had a Sheltie with full, furry skirts to clean up after, ha!!
Seriously, this is such a good message — at Christmastime, of course, but really, all through the year. Bury the hatchet and live peaceably. Enjoy your holidays, my friend, AND your little break — see you in the New Year!
It seems emotions are riding so high at that this time of year that feelings are easily hurt too. Although forgiveness goes along way to smoothing over any misunderstandings anytime of year.Happy holidays to you and yours and all the best for 2015!
Pat,
Happy Holidays to you and your family. You words are so true. Your writing in a gift. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, by I smile as I read so many of your pieces.
Blessings to you and your family.
Sharon