A Guide to Better a Christmas
In case you have forgotten how to make the season right, the North Side Boys have thoughtfully prepared a few guidelines. Follow them all and they guarantee a Merry Christmas.
TOYS FOR EVERYONE: No matter how old or young, people still like toys. Paddle-ball or expensive stereo; make sure everyone gets a toy and Christmas will be better.
DECORATE: The minimum is a tiny tree. If you won't put up at least a picture, you deserve to be miserable. Other than that, the more you do, the more fun you and everyone else will have.
LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH: It's hard, but the best way to honor those you miss by death or distance is to spread joy to the ones you have. Find somebody and share something.
COOK: Special food makes everything special. Take the time to make something. Become famous in your family for some dish. If you can't cook buy something and say you did it.
HELP SOMEBODY: Volunteer for something or just be nice to friend. You won't have Christmas unless you find a way to help somebody.
FAMILY IS #1: If you have a choice, opt to be with your family. Forgive and forget.
REASON FOR THE SEASON HAS A PLACE: In an era when people have given up on our major institutions, church included, Christmas has to be more than gifts and good feelings or you miss the point.
SURPRISE: One surprise gift is a must. Be generous and go for it.
MAKE ONE PRESENT: Make one gift by hand— bake it, saw it, sketch it, sew it or write it; just do it.
HOLDING AND TOUCHING: Break out the mistletoe and use it. Christmas is for touching.
ENJOY: Attitude is everything. Enjoy your chance to go to lots of parties or cook for the family. Enjoy having a 1,000 things to do. Enjoy being tired and still having a list. Hospitals and nursing homes are filled with folk who would give anything to trade places with you.
BE A GOOD “GETTER:” Giving may be better than receiving, but it's close. When you get something, please appreciate that somebody gave you something. Show some joy!
SING: Go caroling if you can. Go to the church musical; put on some Christmas music; it will soothe the savage beast in you when you start to frazzle.
START TRADITIONS: Collect Santa's, pewter goblets, Teddy bears or coffee mugs. Have a traditional family toast, read the Christmas story or do advent wreaths. Create the traditions that will carry you through the hard times.
TELL FAMILY STORIES: Gather everyone around and tell about Grandpa when he was young or Christmas long ago. Kids will listen.
GAG GIFTS: give at least one each year and watch the fun begin (DO NOT HURT ANOTHER”S FEELINGS!).
SPECIAL THINGS: Parents (children), dig through the old photo albums and find pictures of you with your child (parents). Have one enlarged and framed and give it to you son or daughter (parents). Write, “I love you” on it.
SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS: The person who dies with the most toys is still dead.
NEW PAJAMAS: Every kid should have brand new pajamas to wear to bed on Christmas Eve
HAVE THE COURAGE TO PLAN: Somebody has to get things going. Make a plan and see what happens. Draw names, go skating, cut a tree, string popcorn; do something with your kin. Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
I am Thankful For...
I Am Thankful...
-My mom and I ended every phone conversation with “I love you.”
-For an amazing, cool summer and a long autumn season, and the good sense to enjoy them.
-That I did so much of what I wanted to do when I was younger instead of listening to everyone tell me to get a real job.
-For a standing Wednesday dinner appointment with friends.
-So many aging people spend their last good years, without complaint, helping others.
-For all the people who love children, not just their own children, but all children. It is a cheap and sickly love that only cares about its own.
-For all the books and music we can own. A collection of stunning art, once available to only the very rich and powerful, is at every book & music store.
-For people who plant trees, build schools, preserve forests, give up expensive luxuries for the sake of the environment, pick up litter, drive defensively, and graciously accommodate the elderly and very young
-For everyone who has the courage not to be afraid when so many are trying to manipulate us through fear.
-For colored lights on bridges, wildflowers on the side of the road, art in public places and community fireworks.
-For people that hurry when the lines are long at the car wash.
-For the sound of geese flying, moonlight and morning stars, ice frosting, flannel and flames, warm bread, and the “world’s best chili” no matter who cooks it.
-For those would rather find a solution than fault.
-For people who turn off their cell phones in restaurants.
-For forgiveness, even when undeserved.
-When people can be concerned, and even upset, without being hateful and threatening.
-That most things really don’t matter that much. It’s mostly all small stuff. As long as we have a life, nothing is actually over.
-That the things that really do matter are so simple: health and security; relationships and love; doing something worthy with your life and chocolate chip cookies.
-For moments when we feel we are where we are supposed to be; and doing what we are supposed to do.
-That the greatest commandment is to “Love one another.” and that there is nothing at all in there about stem cells or gay marriage except what somebody wants to read into it.
-That my wife is so excellent in body and soul; and yet, is apparently, visually challenged.
-That my neighbor Jim lives out his belief in helping others though me.
-For flirts and huggers, dancers and laughers, late night talkers, mountain path walkers, beach strollers and grassy slope rollers.
-That cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs are nothing I am thankful for.
-A new friend, a waterfall in Boulder Canyon, big snows, a broken distributor cap, good luck, and the day they all came together.
-Barack Obama’s speech, Tony Bennett’s voice, Mr. Bryant’s BBQ ribs, Paul Simon’s guitar playing, Brooks Brothers shirts, Judith Jameson performing “Cry”, Claudio Arrau playing Debussy, Hemmingway’s A Moveable Feast, Nora Jones and Alicia Keyes, catching a King salmon in Alaska, and kissing Kathy in Paris.
-I can still be stupid and silly and just not care all that much.
-For Mickey the Wonder Dog, and that I’m the kind of guy who would still miss his dog.
-For glass ornaments, candle light, cinnamon, real pine needles and bark, dark chocolate, campfires, swimming in cold water, cooking eggs and bacon, driving long and far, the sounds of ice and working hard.
-For the mute button on TV, poetic justice, and a shrinking “regrets” list,
-For hot coffee and a paper waiting for me each morning, a truck that starts, a heater that works, a job I like, and that it happens every day.
-To get to know that it all goes by so quickly, but we still have time to love and be loved.
Happy Thanksgiving!
-My mom and I ended every phone conversation with “I love you.”
-For an amazing, cool summer and a long autumn season, and the good sense to enjoy them.
-That I did so much of what I wanted to do when I was younger instead of listening to everyone tell me to get a real job.
-For a standing Wednesday dinner appointment with friends.
-So many aging people spend their last good years, without complaint, helping others.
-For all the people who love children, not just their own children, but all children. It is a cheap and sickly love that only cares about its own.
-For all the books and music we can own. A collection of stunning art, once available to only the very rich and powerful, is at every book & music store.
-For people who plant trees, build schools, preserve forests, give up expensive luxuries for the sake of the environment, pick up litter, drive defensively, and graciously accommodate the elderly and very young
-For everyone who has the courage not to be afraid when so many are trying to manipulate us through fear.
-For colored lights on bridges, wildflowers on the side of the road, art in public places and community fireworks.
-For people that hurry when the lines are long at the car wash.
-For the sound of geese flying, moonlight and morning stars, ice frosting, flannel and flames, warm bread, and the “world’s best chili” no matter who cooks it.
-For those would rather find a solution than fault.
-For people who turn off their cell phones in restaurants.
-For forgiveness, even when undeserved.
-When people can be concerned, and even upset, without being hateful and threatening.
-That most things really don’t matter that much. It’s mostly all small stuff. As long as we have a life, nothing is actually over.
-That the things that really do matter are so simple: health and security; relationships and love; doing something worthy with your life and chocolate chip cookies.
-For moments when we feel we are where we are supposed to be; and doing what we are supposed to do.
-That the greatest commandment is to “Love one another.” and that there is nothing at all in there about stem cells or gay marriage except what somebody wants to read into it.
-That my wife is so excellent in body and soul; and yet, is apparently, visually challenged.
-That my neighbor Jim lives out his belief in helping others though me.
-For flirts and huggers, dancers and laughers, late night talkers, mountain path walkers, beach strollers and grassy slope rollers.
-That cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs are nothing I am thankful for.
-A new friend, a waterfall in Boulder Canyon, big snows, a broken distributor cap, good luck, and the day they all came together.
-Barack Obama’s speech, Tony Bennett’s voice, Mr. Bryant’s BBQ ribs, Paul Simon’s guitar playing, Brooks Brothers shirts, Judith Jameson performing “Cry”, Claudio Arrau playing Debussy, Hemmingway’s A Moveable Feast, Nora Jones and Alicia Keyes, catching a King salmon in Alaska, and kissing Kathy in Paris.
-I can still be stupid and silly and just not care all that much.
-For Mickey the Wonder Dog, and that I’m the kind of guy who would still miss his dog.
-For glass ornaments, candle light, cinnamon, real pine needles and bark, dark chocolate, campfires, swimming in cold water, cooking eggs and bacon, driving long and far, the sounds of ice and working hard.
-For the mute button on TV, poetic justice, and a shrinking “regrets” list,
-For hot coffee and a paper waiting for me each morning, a truck that starts, a heater that works, a job I like, and that it happens every day.
-To get to know that it all goes by so quickly, but we still have time to love and be loved.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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