I have been conducting an unofficial poll regarding the changing of the years. A significant number of folks have said 2009 can't come to an end soon enough.
Today I encountered a group of people who told me that they intended to celebrate the end of the year by consuming enough alcoholic beverages to ensure 2009 would be forever wiped from their memories.
I don't know that I'm prepared to go to that extreme - there were some good things that happened in the past year. There was the ah..... Well, there was... uhm, ah... That is to say there was....
Anyway... here's to a Healthy, Happy, and Hopeful New Year.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Unnatural Silence
I was struck this evening by the complete lack of noise when I walked out my back door.
There were no murmuring voices carrying from neighboring houses, no dogs barking, no doors slamming. Not a single automobile could be heard, neither was there the drone of an airplane engine. Not a bird chirped, not a leaf rustled, not a critter scurried.
Silent as a grave came to mind and I was suddenly anxious for even the annoying yap of the dog down the street. I stood willing some sound - any sound - to reach my ears, but none came.
Hurrying inside I was greeted by the stereo playing. Reassurance that the natural order of things had not been disrupted. I wondered if the outdoor world would still be unnaturally quiet should I step back across the threshold - then decided I didn't want to know.
There were no murmuring voices carrying from neighboring houses, no dogs barking, no doors slamming. Not a single automobile could be heard, neither was there the drone of an airplane engine. Not a bird chirped, not a leaf rustled, not a critter scurried.
Silent as a grave came to mind and I was suddenly anxious for even the annoying yap of the dog down the street. I stood willing some sound - any sound - to reach my ears, but none came.
Hurrying inside I was greeted by the stereo playing. Reassurance that the natural order of things had not been disrupted. I wondered if the outdoor world would still be unnaturally quiet should I step back across the threshold - then decided I didn't want to know.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Eskimo Chill
Blue sky, sunshine, scattered clouds, rolling surf.
Sounds like the perfect day at the beach doesn't it?
Indeed it was a great day for watching the ocean - from inside my toasty warm car.
Others, hardier than I, decided it was a great day for actually frolicking on the beach. Wind chills that would make an Eskimo shiver necessitated that said frolicking be conducted beneath multiple layers of clothing. Blue, red, and green parkas trimmed with white almost-fur were the attire of the day.
I watched a few people return from the water's edge with cherry red cheeks despite woolen scarves pulled up to their noses and wondered what they had been thinking before setting out for their stroll. Surely the angry howl of an untamed wind should have served as warning against a December sojourn.
The arrival of a family dressed in nothing more than long sleeve T-shirts, vests and earmuffs set my teeth to chattering. Despite the hot air blasting from the dashboard vents, I found myself shivering on behalf of the under clothed contingent and I abandoned the parking lot overlook in search of a steaming hot beverage.
Sounds like the perfect day at the beach doesn't it?
Indeed it was a great day for watching the ocean - from inside my toasty warm car.
Others, hardier than I, decided it was a great day for actually frolicking on the beach. Wind chills that would make an Eskimo shiver necessitated that said frolicking be conducted beneath multiple layers of clothing. Blue, red, and green parkas trimmed with white almost-fur were the attire of the day.
I watched a few people return from the water's edge with cherry red cheeks despite woolen scarves pulled up to their noses and wondered what they had been thinking before setting out for their stroll. Surely the angry howl of an untamed wind should have served as warning against a December sojourn.
The arrival of a family dressed in nothing more than long sleeve T-shirts, vests and earmuffs set my teeth to chattering. Despite the hot air blasting from the dashboard vents, I found myself shivering on behalf of the under clothed contingent and I abandoned the parking lot overlook in search of a steaming hot beverage.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Christmas Rediscovered
I frequently hear it said that Christmas is for kids. It's true that Santa and gifts wrapped in colorful paper certainly capture the attention of children.
But traditions passed down through the years, gathering of family, and visits from friends make the holiday season special throughout our lives.
I very nearly didn't decorate our house this year. My ongoing search for full time employment had me feeling less than enthusiastic about the approaching holiday. Once the decorations were up, I found them to be more reminders of better times past than harbingers of hope.
But once College Dude and Language Lass arrived home to complete our family I realized how much I had to be grateful for.
Sitting in front of a blazing fire and brightly lit Christmas Tree, we were the family we have always been. A family that values being together and sharing love for one another. A family that appreciates both quiet companionship and jovial exchanges.
In this difficult year, I rediscovered Christmas for what it is meant to be. The celebration of family.
But traditions passed down through the years, gathering of family, and visits from friends make the holiday season special throughout our lives.
I very nearly didn't decorate our house this year. My ongoing search for full time employment had me feeling less than enthusiastic about the approaching holiday. Once the decorations were up, I found them to be more reminders of better times past than harbingers of hope.
But once College Dude and Language Lass arrived home to complete our family I realized how much I had to be grateful for.
Sitting in front of a blazing fire and brightly lit Christmas Tree, we were the family we have always been. A family that values being together and sharing love for one another. A family that appreciates both quiet companionship and jovial exchanges.
In this difficult year, I rediscovered Christmas for what it is meant to be. The celebration of family.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Almighty Holidays
I've been remembering a time when the world stopped on Christmas - and all major holidays.
I've been remembering a time when we made sure we had our errands finished by the eve of the holiday because on Christmas, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, or the Fourth of July nothing - and I do mean nothing was open.
Gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, bakeries, butcher shops, drug stores, they were all vacant - locked tight. Everyone, with the exception of hospital staff and members of the armed services, had the opportunity to gather around a backyard barbecue or a Christmas tree because family came first. Folks attended parades in honor of the servicemen who fought for freedom, gathered around tables to give thanks for families, and went to church to give thanks to God. There were priorities, and while the dollar was important it wasn't yet the almighty dollar.
When the title of Almighty switched from the Supreme Being to the greenback things went into a downward spiral.
It seems to me we've come darn close to the bottom of that spiral - and it seems to me that this unhappy place is where we're destined to linger until Almighty is set back in its proper place.
I've been remembering a time when we made sure we had our errands finished by the eve of the holiday because on Christmas, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, or the Fourth of July nothing - and I do mean nothing was open.
Gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, bakeries, butcher shops, drug stores, they were all vacant - locked tight. Everyone, with the exception of hospital staff and members of the armed services, had the opportunity to gather around a backyard barbecue or a Christmas tree because family came first. Folks attended parades in honor of the servicemen who fought for freedom, gathered around tables to give thanks for families, and went to church to give thanks to God. There were priorities, and while the dollar was important it wasn't yet the almighty dollar.
When the title of Almighty switched from the Supreme Being to the greenback things went into a downward spiral.
It seems to me we've come darn close to the bottom of that spiral - and it seems to me that this unhappy place is where we're destined to linger until Almighty is set back in its proper place.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Light, Hope, and Promise
Here it is, December 21st, the day of the year with the least amount of daylight.
It's a turning point day. From here on, we get a little more daylight each and every day for the next six months.
So I view December 21st as a day of promise. We need a little promise and hope in our lives right now. The unemployed need the promise and hope of a job. People without power and buried beneath feet of snow need the promise and hope of electricity. Members of the military who have been overseas for interminable periods need the promise and hope of being reunited with their families. Homeless people need the promise and hope of a warm meal and a place to eat.
Let's all pray that this December 21st is the start of a long run of promise and hope. Let's make it the start of a new beginning by doing something, however small, that will have a positive impact on another person's day.
Think of it. A single person could add encouragement to the lives of 182 people by the time of the summer equinox. Multiply a single person's efforts by billions and quickly hope and promise would grow into a rushing river of optimism.
Ready to pitch in? Smile at someone tomorrow, buy someone a cup of coffee, help someone dig out from under the snow, give someone a lift to work - anything. Then ask that person to do the same for another.
It might come back around to you just when you need it most.
It's a turning point day. From here on, we get a little more daylight each and every day for the next six months.
So I view December 21st as a day of promise. We need a little promise and hope in our lives right now. The unemployed need the promise and hope of a job. People without power and buried beneath feet of snow need the promise and hope of electricity. Members of the military who have been overseas for interminable periods need the promise and hope of being reunited with their families. Homeless people need the promise and hope of a warm meal and a place to eat.
Let's all pray that this December 21st is the start of a long run of promise and hope. Let's make it the start of a new beginning by doing something, however small, that will have a positive impact on another person's day.
Think of it. A single person could add encouragement to the lives of 182 people by the time of the summer equinox. Multiply a single person's efforts by billions and quickly hope and promise would grow into a rushing river of optimism.
Ready to pitch in? Smile at someone tomorrow, buy someone a cup of coffee, help someone dig out from under the snow, give someone a lift to work - anything. Then ask that person to do the same for another.
It might come back around to you just when you need it most.
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