Some thoughts at Christmas time........

[Kirk W]

We seem to be living in a time when our world has lots of strife and problems, and perhaps we fail to stop and think of just how well of we really are? With Christmas Day nearly here, I think that it is time for all of us to give some thought to just how fortunate we really are. I suspect there are very few of us who are not better off than our parents were at the same point in life, and better off than we ourselves were not so very long ago. Isn't it time that we give thanks for the place we live and the things that we have?

 

As I look back over the 54 years that Pam and I have been married (as of today), I can but marvel at how far we have come and the life which we have shared. I doubt that we would have believed possible the experiences that we have had or the years of good fortune that we have experienced. Whether you believe in faith, fate, or just good fortune, don't you know that all of us should be grateful to have been born in the USA and perhaps take just a little time to appreciate what we have? We may not live in the only good place in the world today, but there is little doubt that we are better off here than most other countries and there is much to be thankful for.

 

We will be sharing our Christmas day with some of our children & grandchildren again this year who we happen to live close by, and we will pause to join the gathering in our favorite house of worship. Lets share a few words of how you will celebrate your day, if you will.

 

Have a very Merry Christmas!

[Mr. Camper]

First let me wish you both a Happy Anniversary. Second, let me say that I've never been more concerned about the country and the world that we are leaving to our children, grand-children and great grand-children. Again enjoy your anniversary. Yesterday we celebrated our silver anniversary. The times they have changed.

[DuneElliot]

Well said. I will never be as well off as my parents, but that is a path I chose intentionally. I am richer for all the experiences and travel I have had the chance to do.

 

My parents are heavily involved in an orphanage in Kenya. It is when I see pictures from there I thank the good Lord that I was born where I was, into the family I was given and with all the opportunities that were in front of me to choose from. I was even lucky enough to have dual citizenship from birth so I even have choices about which countries I can live in. I am blessed in so many ways, and some times I have to remind myself of that when I bemoan the four more months of mindless drudgery of work ahead of me.

[sandsys]

Dave and I will be celebrating 50 years of marriage on the 29th. We are certainly very fortunate to be able to live the life we do.

 

Linda Sand

[richfaa]

We have no Complaints. All of my Grandparents were immigrants that came here for a better life for themselves and their families. We are thankful they did we were born and raised in the greatest country in the world and it will continue to be.

 

As others here we are very fortunate to live the life we do.

[bruce t]

The world is a troubled place. We often think where's it all going to and when will it all end. But keep in mind that every generation thinks the same. Those who lived through WW1, the Great Depression, WW11 and the 50's and 60's cold war all thought the same. Not to mention the Civil war etc etc.This generation is no different. But there is one huge difference. We have way tooooo much media. Television and the internet puts it all right there in front of us. The 24 hour news cycle. So is it really any worse? Or are we just more 'aware'?

 

Just try turning off the television and internet over the Christmas holidays. See if sitting around talking and enjoying the good life is really that bad. See if the world comes to an end without you watching what the media wants to feed you.

 

Get down on the floor with the kids and have fun. Break their toys. Fight with them over the 'good' stuff. Then if you are like me amuse yourself for the rest of the day trying to get up off the floor.

 

Just smile and talk to each other. You may find that it's very enlightening.

 

All the best for what ever or who ever you believe in.

 

Remember. Smile.

[jrzygrl64]

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Seasons Greetings!

 

We have been married 31 years and feel very blessed to be living our dream life traveling full-time in our RV.

 

We will be spending Christmas in the frozen state of PA, with our son, he and his fiancé broke up not long ago and we knew it would be a tough time for him to be alone without any family.

 

On Dec 27 we head SOUTH in search of warmer temps! Rumor has it FL isn't participating in winter this year - not so far anyway!

[oscarvan]

Happy anniversary Kirk and Pam!

 

We got a late start and we are "only" at 25, but going strong. My parents are at 60, my Grandparents made it to 67!

 

The world has always been a troubled place. Those of us that study history see nothing but moving borders and changing flags, all of them painted in blood. The relative peace and prosperity this great nation has experienced for the last 71 years are, in the greater picture, unfortunately not the norm.

 

Yes, we are very, very fortunate and I enjoy and appreciate every moment of it.

 

Whatever you all celebrate, I hope you have a good one!

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

Happy Anniversary Kirk and Pam, and here's to many many more ahead for you both . Met my hubby at 18, we lived "in sin" as my embarrassed family referred to it back then for a while (chuckle now at that expression). Got married in 1983, had our first born a year and two months later in 1984, and carry on "all" the family traditions I grew up with and have passed on to our children and hope they pass on to theirs in the future. I am particularly nostalgic at this very special time of year, and now I see our children starting to automatically carry on some of the traditions which warms my heart.

 

Pre-Christmas baking, feeding the rich fruit cake with alcohol for the weeks leading up to, then marzipan and icing it (two this year, and youngest daughter did the decorating!). We sing a lot of carols during the season, acknowledge the 12 days of Christmas and the tree has to come down before the twelfth night (superstition), have a lot of gatherings of friends and family during the holidays. Christmas Eve we open our immediate family cards, and one present each (usually new PJs for Eve and Day). Stockings are filled for all in the family, that are opened first thing in the morning, after breakfast we sit down and open the gifts under the tree (when little ones around they get a sack at the end of their bed that Father Christmas brings while they are sleeping, and he fills their empty stockings hung on their bedroom door handles). After an overly indulgent family roast, followed by Christmas Pudding with coins in still today as is our English tradition background, then everyone hunts the small gifts on the tree and opens then. The rest of the afternoon and evening we play games, do jigsaws, older members snooze and some will go for a walk/horse ride or if snow around as is often the case, tobogganing for a couple hours.

 

We also have traditions for boxing day (in UK decades ago, used to be Horse and Hounds fox hunting as well new years day, but since in Canada just long rides) as well New Years Eve and Day. Once midnight strikes on New Year's eve we join hands for Auld Lang Syne, then immediately after, the darkest haired family member, grabs a piece of coal and runs out one door, around the house and then comes back in through the other door = out with the old and in with the new. A tradition from my fathers side of the family we still treasure.

 

One tradition throughout every night of the whole of the month of December and the last one on New Years Eve, that will see it's demise when I leave this earth, is a schooner of Sherry and a mince pie, to toast each and every loved one that is so missed and no longer with us at this special time of year.

 

Christmas is a very very important time of the year for us to all to reconnect together, especially in this day and age.

 

Merry Christmas to all, be safe, be happy and above all hug those close to you a little tighter.

FTW.

[wildmandmc]

Happy Anniversary. my Friend. an many more. In feb it's going to be 29 . But yes it's the season to give thanks. Celebrate life. but to also think of the others that don't have.