TIS THE SEASON !!

Thanksgiving just ended and Christmas season is upon us. What do these holidays mean? Yes, those that work get days off, & stores get a boost in sales, & our waistlines grow from big dinners with lots of deserts. But what is the true meanings of these holidays?

Thanksgiving is about family time that I love .... the laughter & talking, the time with my grand kids, but mostly I love the opportunity to reflect on my blessings. I love my children & the children they married & brought into our family. Each is so different, each is very strong willed and protective of their families. Their Dad & I like to think we taught them to protect their families. As we get older & families are within families, it is hard to organize the family structure ( the church teaches a patriarchal order - to help organize us). Who decides, crowd control, & usual family squabbles.... our hearts know the way or if not oldest rules.. ha ha ha! Love & forgiveness strengthens our love & brings holiday spirits around us. The grand kids bring smiles, laughter & a reminder of who & what is important. Afterwards, Mark & I reflected that our love started this strong family but our love is even stronger as we watch the love of each family grow. The Circle of Life ... we started as a couple and here we are as a couple most of the year. Thanksgiving & Christmas give us the chance to be "our family" group again. I love it.

The food was great & a huge surprise with Dale cooking everything. It reminded me of my Mom's meals (okay he cooks healthier than she did) and the love that food represents sometimes. We missed Stacey, Richard & the kids, but understood that between tight school schedule & Richard's early flight on Monday made it the only choice. :( The time with Dale, Shalene, & kids was shorter than we liked but thoroughly enjoyed. We decided between lack of money & desire for sleep killed off an early Black Friday. I did not miss it & I went to the pharmacy so technically I did shop...ha ha!

Christmas will be small this year but filled with love. Christmas is about love... the love of our Savior, the love of family, the love of friends, but mostly the love of strangers who need help. This year I am collecting food for the Food Bank from 11/29-12/13/2009. So far it is slow with 48 lbs of food but I am optimistic that those numbers will increase. I am donating to Coats for Kids - I do not need that many coats so it is clean out my closet time. I plan to work the Food Shuttle & the Soup Kitchen. I may lack money to give but I have time to give. I want to show my love for the Savior and my respect for my family by helping those who are less fortunate than us.

So "tis the season" to love one another, show that love, & share than love.

Yes, it is time to decorate, laugh, spend time with family & friends, forgive one another, and this year I am getting a special gift..... a new grandson. I have a cold thingy a.k.a. flu that must be gone before my grandson comes into the world. I am looking at it as a blessing & as it will be over it before the birth, or the visits from my children & grandchildren.