I agree. It was well said.
Christmas the last few years has been tough. After
the downsizing in 2001, money wasn't as free-flowing as it used to be, and the
value of a dollar became all the more prominent in my mind. We didn't
focus on gifts much, or made the few we exchanged all the more special. In
fact, the holidays were more about tradition, a reality I didn't really have,
because my parents just wanted to divy up the loot, get it opened, clean up and
play with the new stuff. My wife's family did much more. The
breakfast was a big deal, with champagne and orange juice, with a turnover for
the main course. Everyone was made to feel special, and the gifts were
great, but reflected so much more.
When the in-laws moved away, we had to start our own
traditions, and while it isn't the same, it's the beginning of our legacy.
Due to my job, I only get to have OJ on Christmas unless I am fortunate and
have the day off. But each year we've begun buying the kids each an
ornament and look to further enlarge our winter electricity bill with the
addition of some new lights. There are other things we do now, but the
point is really that our focus has become our family. I'm finally out of
that holiday mental slump, and I'm looking forward to a good Christmas.
Last year, I gave up my family traditions so my wife and kids could spend the
holidays with all of her family in Montana (job kept me here). While I
understand and respect why she wanted to go, I'm not allowing it again.
Christmas alone sucks.
So whatever your situation, put your family first during
the holidays. Unlike everything else you can charge at Best Buy, Nordstrom
or through GMAC finance, your family is not expendable. If you lose one of
them, it isn't as simple as going down to the store and picking up
another. It seems like so many things have been put in my path the last
few weeks that the value of family is being pounded into my head with a
sledgehammer. The timing is more than coincidental.
If you don't have traditions, start. If you practice
them, keep doing so, or maybe start a few more. There will come a day when
you'll look back and relish, as well as miss those moments when you had the
people who mean the most, around to enjoy them.
Brian
Team A.I.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 1:23
PM
Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] RE: It's
THAT season
Well said Bill!
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 1:10
PM
Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] RE: It's
THAT season
This is an interesting philosophy. You make a joking (I
hope) threat to shoot people because
they don't choose to celebrate the
holidays in a fashion you find (politically?) correct.
Too
bad. I am sorry you feel that way. How sad for
you.
I love the holiday season. Thanksgiving is great, but
Christmas is even better. I like them
on several levels, and my joy
during the season is not affected by how others choose to
celebrate or
not. For some people, Christmas is an excuse to shop, and for the
retailers, the
joy may be in the profits they make. Fine. How
does that hurt me? It doesn't. I am not
affected by how you
choose to celebrate (as long as you don't celebrate by drinking
and
driving). Buy all you want, commercialize all you want -- I
don't care. Have fun in your own
way.
The winter celebration
was an excuse for a party long before Christ. For some it is
a
religious celebration, while for others it's just an excuse to buy the
grandkids or the spouse,
or whoever far more gifts than they need.
Well, it's not my money. Let them spend all they
want.
Why
does someone have to be "brainwashed" just because their idea of fun is
different than
yours? There is no right or wrong way to celebrate
the many holidays that show up this time of
year.
I hope all of
you here on this list have a wonderful holiday season. Please
celebrate it
however you like. Go to church if the spirit moves
you. Buy presents if you like. Pig out a
couple of times if
you want to. Make some resolutions for the new year just so you can
have
fun breaking them. Set up an electric train under your tree,
assuming you have one, and play
for a while. You don't have to be a
kid to play with trains. Best of all, if you can, watch
some child
open all those commercial presents on Christmas morning (or Kwanza or
Chanukah).
Now that's joy! Merry Christmas!
Bill in
Willcox
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Sparks" <scottsparks1@mchsi.com>
>
>
As much as I hate to admit it, I too have become affected by the
holiday
> seasons in recent years. I don't get depressed though;
what I feel is
> anger and rage. Primarily at those who have turned
what should be a
> joyous celebration into a commercial venture and at
those who are
> brainwashed and buy into the hype (or should I say
tripe.) And you know
> who you are... but then again... maybe you
don't. :-) If you see me
> with a .357, it won't be aimed
at myself.
:-D
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