It has been several
weeks since I put up a post. It's not that there has been
nothing to talk about. Quite the contrary. There has been lots to
talk about; Paris, San Bernardino, air planes blown out of the
skies, numerous terror threats. Truthfully for me, the list is
somewhat frightening.
And we surely can not
ignore those 'insightful' political debates, where we learn how, if
elected, each candidate would solve the world's problems and bring
order back to a planet that currently seems to be spinning out of
control. Can these people really be serious?
Of course, not to be outdone
by the national and international news, events and the latest
happenings coming out of Augusta don't paint a very constructive
and hopeful picture for the upcoming legislative session.
Impeachment! Really? I am not a big fan of the current Governor - I
suspect he might be on Santa's naughty list. but don't we
have more pressing issues at hand?
It is, however, the
holiday season and regardless of one's faith and beliefs, for me it
still serves as a time to take a step back and reflect, not on the
issues that I cannot control, but those that I can.
Now...it's at this
point that I might put together my Christmas wish list.
I don't need
new underwear, as may be suggested on some television commercials. So
anyone thinking about that as a gift for me, take the 20% Kohl's
discount card and buy something for yourself, or better yet, buy a
sweater or winter coat and donate it to the Salvation Army or local
shelter. The last thing I need is new underwear, a tie, or one of those $89 dress shirts. And, I recently upgraded my cell phone and
bought a new sweatshirt, so I'm all set there too. Now, if I could just learn to text! :)
So what does someone
who will be turning 70 years old this coming year really have on his Christmas list?
A few holiday cookies
would be nice, but not too many. I really don't need the sugar.
I think my list
looks very different today when compared to lists of years past. It's
not about wanting 'things' anymore. New golf clubs? No. But having the
energy and taking the time to get out and walk more, even if it's
just around the block with Lucky, our dog, is a gift I can give to myself.
I worry about the
future, not for me, but for future generations, my children and
grandchildren and their families. Will they be living in a world
where, based upon decisions made today and tomorrow, decisions based upon today's fears and anger, it will limit their ability to have the hopes and
dreams we once had for our world?
So on my Christmas
list, I want to have an open door so they can at least come
home and enjoy the safety and comfort of 'family' and friends, both today and in the future.
On my list, I want a
another list, a list of the lessons I have learned about life. Now, I
am old and with age comes perspective, the ability to look back at
all the dumb and stupid things I did and the lessons learned from
those. If I can share some of those lessons with
others, helping them to avoid mistakes similar to the ones I made....OK. I am
not talking about buying a Ford instead of a Chevy. I am talking about the really important stuff in life!
My list is not going to
include the age old platitude of 'peace on earth and goodwill to
men (and women)'. But for just one day, it would really be nice to
turn on the television or radio and not hear the reports of the
number of people killed in a shootout, the carpet bombing to see if
the sand glows in the desert or the insults and name calling being
shared on the political stage. Unfortunately, the reports will
continue as long as we listen.
But here is a solution, at least for me. I find
that I have a much better day it I don't turn on the television first
in the morning, in fact, maybe not at all that day and instead
retreat to my workshop, mow the lawn or fire up the outdoor pizza
oven, cook up a few brick oven pizzas and share with friends. (Is the bread dough ready yet?)
Now, I know there are
some out there who will criticize me, claiming that by avoiding the
news and all the 'talking' heads I am putting my head in the
sand. But for just one day, is that a bad thing? And by the way, the pizza is really good.
Growing up in the
1950's, my Christmas list of toys and clothes was long and probably
expensive. Did I get everything I hoped for? Of course not. And the
response from my parents? “Well, there is always next year”!
My list is very
different today and I know I will not get everything that I hope for. If not, as my parents often said...at least I do hope there will be a next year.
Oh, just one more thing....Can I have just a bit more Eggnog..... please?
Happy Holidays
No comments:
Post a Comment