Tis' what season?

This is a bit early, and that is the point. Also, if you are a Facebook friend I am stealing this from a post I put up today. I have added more ideas. I'm starting to hear people grumble about Christmas. ...already. I hear about how much it costs to buy gifts. How hard it is to travel to see family or to have family visit, and not wanting to put up with relatives and in-laws. I guess I am lucky, I don't have any money for gifts or to travel or to have guests. So all the stresses are gone and all I have left is to enjoy the music, the decorations and the holiday spirit. :-) ♥

But, seriously. To the early grumblers. So what if some of the decorations are up before Thanksgiving. No one is saying to skip the day. Have your turkey and enjoy it. Watch the Macy's parade, watch football. We get a little extra time to enjoy the decorations. The radio station we have set as the alarm on our clock radio, is the station that traditionally plays non stop Christmas music starting the day after Thanksgiving. We love it. The on air personality said that they have been receiving requests for Christmas music since the beginning of October. 

You're not Christian and don't want to be wished a Merry Christmas.? Please understand that it is meant to be a cheerful greeting. It is not meant to put you down and knock your religion, or lack there of. Try saying thank you. You can even say I don't celebrate Christmas but I hope you have a nice day. Why turn it into a battle? Here is an example, If someone wishes me a Happy Grunsday, do I get insulted and upset and yell at them for assuming that I share their holiday observance? No, I smile and say "Thank you, I don't observe Grunsday, but I hope you have a great day."  Or, better yet stop after the thank you and just wish them well.

Here is something that will not sit well with some of my friends, but let me explain. I have recently seen someone start with the request to keep Christ in Christmas. They don't want to hear Happy holidays or Seasons Greetings. Well, yes, I agree for when talking about Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season. Not so much Santa Claus. Yes, yes, yes  But, this person was starting to get a little hot under the collar. I have quite a few non Christian friends. Hanukkah has been celebrated since before Christ. In fact I think he celebrated it with his family. Our Jewish friends have a right to celebrate their festival of lights. If anything, they had this time of year (season) first. Also I know a few Pagans. Their holiday is always going to be, and always has been the winter solstice. There has been discussion about weather Jesus was born in December. To the people who get angry at sharing the season, I just want to remind you that friction does not cause light, it causes heat. Let's all share the season of love and brotherhood. OK, are you mad at me? I'll move on.

Angry that you 'have to' buy gifts? How about you 'get to' show people how much you appreciate them in your life. Go smaller or home made on gifts. If that will make someone mad at you, maybe they don't deserve a gift after all. Yes, I know there is much more to it then that. If you don't want to spend time with people you don't get along with. Set a time limit for your visit. If you live near your loved ones, spend a few hours, then go home. If you are visiting another city for a few days, make time to do things apart from the hosts, sight see, shop. Chances are they might welcome the time to finish up a few last minute things. But also think about the fact that you have people in your life, many people are alone in the world. Remind yourself that it will all pass quickly and some day these people may be gone from your life. Maybe try getting the family together to go serve at a shelter or even go caroling. It's hard to argue with an idiot relative when your singing.

I wish you all a holiday season, or what ever phrase lets you know that I wish it to be filled with warmth and the spirit of brotherhood.

Peace, Joy, Love, Happiness ... and a great Grunsday to all

The time of friends.

It has been said that people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. A 'reason' person could be a teacher, a co-worker or a friend who only needs to be in our life for a short time to get something accomplished, to remind us of, or teach us a lesson or to just be a bright light when you need it. A 'season' person seems to me to be the childhood friend we grew up with or the high school or college friend who we learned about life with, a neighbor who touched our lives then moved on. A 'lifetime' person may be a relative that we love or one who constantly tests us. But, lifetime friends are the jewels in our lives and a gift from God.

A very dear lady only came into my life a short time ago. She may be a 'reason' person. She steadied me on the path to renewing my religious education. This may also be the 'season', as she got me connected to many wonderful people in my church and made me feel comfortable about my place in the scheme of things. She has made me realize that I want to become involved with helping other people discover their own connection to God.  As of this weekend she has moved to the other side of the country. While I am so happy for her and wish her great joy and success on her new adventure, I will miss her. I know she will do great things. In the short time I have known her I have seen not only her great organization skills but her grace, humor and kindness. At her farewell party, I looked around the room full of warm, wonderful, loving people and saw tear filled eyes brimming with admiration. She is loved and will be very missed. We are grateful for modern technology that makes staying in touch so much easier, but not the same as being together.

Is she blushing as she reads this? I hope she is laughing too. I thank you for helping me get my feet on the path I need to follow. I thank you for all of the new friends I have made through you. I thank you for the joy and the laughter in these good, but too short times. But most of all I thank you for your friendship that I hope and pray will last a lifetime.

Peace, Joy, Love, Happiness and the very dear heart of a good friend to you all.