*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ ~Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ~*´¨) Wishing you, one and all, the Happiest of the Holiday season....
We've laughed and we've cried together. We've bonded closer then any family could. We've shouted to the world that Alzheimer's will not ever blow out the candle of HOPE.
The holidays are supposed to be a happy time and all we know how to do is stress over them. All those presents we are “expected” to buy – and where does all the money come from. Well, this is one of our leaner holidays. We can’t afford hardly anything this year So, we can barely buy gifts this year. I’m so glad I feel that way this year. In the past I always felt terrible I couldn’t spend as much as other people spent on their family – I always felt it was expected of me to spend all that money we didn’t have. Nobody really cared – it was only what I imagined people thought of me and my inexpensive gifts. How stupid of me. I’ve learned – FINALLY! So far as the season gets very close I’m just thankful to have a loving family and they have me. And that my whole family believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. What on earth can be better than that. NOTHING, absolutely nothing.
I do believe that it is much better to simplify the holidays, whether money is tight or not. Excess gifts benefit no one (other than, possibly, the GDP)
Certainly our spiritual traditions can help us through. They will vary. We all relate to the cosmos and its ineffable qualities in individual ways. Sometimes our faith traditions, sometimes our free-spirited, free-rein philosophies, forged in messy, hard living, help give us the strength we need.
Hardest holidays I've ever had since I've only had the * by my name for two months. Remembering very lean days gone by when buying toys for our boys was so important but sometimes $$ so tight but they as grown men now tell me they never noticed. Santa always came and that's what they remember. We always had them take a toy from the year before to the local fire department toy drive so they would know that Christmas was about sharing. Now gift cards for the grandgirls who are living on small budgets while working and attending college. Looking for the first great grand in March so something for the new little girl for sure. Merry Christmas to all!