It has been a wonderful year. But, the truth is, I don't live a perfect life. So my Christmas letter doesn't come in a red or green envelope with a holiday themed return address label. And, there are no cute snowmen stickers, and no glitter. And, no USPS holiday stamp.
My Christmas letter does come with my realities. Harry and I are healthy and amazingly happy. We are constantly appreciative of how content we are with each other! No, we don't have enough money in the bank to make the retirement future airtight and carefree. The economy affects us just as it does most everyone. But, we have more than what we need. Dinner is on the table every night and it shows in our waistlines (which by the way is shrinking for Harry on his new diet). We don't worry about where we will get our next meal, or if we will have clean water to drink. We can bathe as often as we would like, and in hot water. We don't use a hole in the dirt as a toilet. In fact, we have more toilets than residents in our home. We know that if we get sick, we can find a nearby medical facility to help us and no matter what our income, we would never be turned away. We do not worry at night about how we will survive. In fact, our worries seem pretty petty.
We do not have to bribe anyone to operate our business. We can gripe about rules and regulations, without fear of retribution. We do not live in fear of our personal safety. We gate our home to keep the pets in and not the neighbors out. Our home is heated on cold nights and air conditioned on hot ones. We have TV, Internet, cable, wireless, iPads, iPhones and newsprint to tell us the truths about what is happening around the globe. There is no censorship. We can criticize our government, and we can state our religious views without fear.
We have cars, fuel and access to nearby airports giving us the ability to travel all over the world. How hard we work determines our ability to indulge in recreation. The opportunities are endless. We were blessed with the intelligence and the moral foundation presented by our families to fulfill our potentials and therefore indulge ourselves in our leisure time. But, a great amount of luck was involved. Where we were born and who our families were let us live this incredible life.
Our children are thriving. They are honest, hard working and ethical. None are self destructive. All have clear priorities about hierarchies of what is important - their families and friends first, and careers second. All were given mental and physical health and the ability to succeed. Our grandchildren are, of course, exceptionally bright, gifted and charming. That is not an exaggeration...
We are surrounded with amazing family and lifetime friends. I especially appreciate the harmony I experience with my siblings. I believe it is important to let go of those persons who cause you pain, and embrace those who bring joy. And, there are always new persons to enter in a life and enrich it. There is no limit to how much love you can share.
So, this holiday season I will allow myself to chuckle at the Christmas letters I receive that feel a bit like gloating, and I will be saddened by those that bear bad news. I will enjoy and savor the ones that share news and photos to bring me closer to the sender's lives. Whether you celebrate the religious historical meaning of the holidays, or just enjoy the sparkle and festive aspects, I hope that you find some joy and spend a few moments reflecting on the miracle of just how wonderful your life is.
My Christmas letter does come with my realities. Harry and I are healthy and amazingly happy. We are constantly appreciative of how content we are with each other! No, we don't have enough money in the bank to make the retirement future airtight and carefree. The economy affects us just as it does most everyone. But, we have more than what we need. Dinner is on the table every night and it shows in our waistlines (which by the way is shrinking for Harry on his new diet). We don't worry about where we will get our next meal, or if we will have clean water to drink. We can bathe as often as we would like, and in hot water. We don't use a hole in the dirt as a toilet. In fact, we have more toilets than residents in our home. We know that if we get sick, we can find a nearby medical facility to help us and no matter what our income, we would never be turned away. We do not worry at night about how we will survive. In fact, our worries seem pretty petty.
We do not have to bribe anyone to operate our business. We can gripe about rules and regulations, without fear of retribution. We do not live in fear of our personal safety. We gate our home to keep the pets in and not the neighbors out. Our home is heated on cold nights and air conditioned on hot ones. We have TV, Internet, cable, wireless, iPads, iPhones and newsprint to tell us the truths about what is happening around the globe. There is no censorship. We can criticize our government, and we can state our religious views without fear.
We have cars, fuel and access to nearby airports giving us the ability to travel all over the world. How hard we work determines our ability to indulge in recreation. The opportunities are endless. We were blessed with the intelligence and the moral foundation presented by our families to fulfill our potentials and therefore indulge ourselves in our leisure time. But, a great amount of luck was involved. Where we were born and who our families were let us live this incredible life.
Our children are thriving. They are honest, hard working and ethical. None are self destructive. All have clear priorities about hierarchies of what is important - their families and friends first, and careers second. All were given mental and physical health and the ability to succeed. Our grandchildren are, of course, exceptionally bright, gifted and charming. That is not an exaggeration...
We are surrounded with amazing family and lifetime friends. I especially appreciate the harmony I experience with my siblings. I believe it is important to let go of those persons who cause you pain, and embrace those who bring joy. And, there are always new persons to enter in a life and enrich it. There is no limit to how much love you can share.
So, this holiday season I will allow myself to chuckle at the Christmas letters I receive that feel a bit like gloating, and I will be saddened by those that bear bad news. I will enjoy and savor the ones that share news and photos to bring me closer to the sender's lives. Whether you celebrate the religious historical meaning of the holidays, or just enjoy the sparkle and festive aspects, I hope that you find some joy and spend a few moments reflecting on the miracle of just how wonderful your life is.
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