…….time for reflection, gratitude and perspective.

December 2005 was the last Christmas I would spend with my husband, although I didn’t know it at the time.  In prior years we seemed to be more excited about getting out our boxes upon boxes of holiday items and eager to decorate, however he wasn’t up to it in ‘05 so I surprised him one night by putting up the tree for when he arrived home from work.  And that was the extent of decorating the tree that year.  To this day I feel disappointed in myself for not doing more knowing that he wasn’t feeling well, however we were heading north to spend Christmas with our familes.  Although the tree had lights, it remained bare for the season, and yet it is a memory I will always treasure.  That was his last Christmas here on earth.  Then came Christmas 2006 and I didn’t put the tree up, it just didn’t feel right, however I did put out a little optic tree in his memory because of how much he loved this time of year.  Although I believed he was with me in spirit, it was a lonely time of year, yet my family and friends were there to see me through and that’s what it really is all about, isn’t it?  Reflection, gratitude and perspective.  And here it is, Christmas 2007 and not much has really changed.  The small optic Christmas tree is back in place and this year there are a few special items placed on it as a tribute to him.  And again this year I choose not to go through the hustle and bustle of the season and instead I continue to look for the wonder of the season, perhaps a miracle of sorts, maybe a feeling of peace amidst the chaos of life.  Recently I found myself in the hustle and bustle and started to lose my perspective and lose my natural tendency of ‘goodwill toward men’ and had to work at letting it go to return to a place of peace and reflection and what a much better place to be.   

We can choose to be kind, compassionate, and grateful and it will make our life more peaceful and worthwhile and that’s my wish for you this holiday season and the entire year.  So whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan or another holiday, practice reflecting on peace and goodwill toward others and take it forward with you during the year because a little bit of kindness to a stranger can be life changing for both of you. 

Special wishes of peace and comfort to our military abroad and a knowing that they are in our hearts and prayers this holiday season and always.