This time last year I blogged about my list of things I’m grateful for. And that’s something that never gets old, I think. Being grateful, I mean. It’s so easy—especially in this economic recession—to feel depressed. To worry about losing a job, or to be scared because we’ve been laid off and haven’t been able to find another job. Nowadays it seems like we’re all just trying to keep our heads above water, just to pay the mortgage and put food on the table, much less afford Christmas or send a kid to college.
I’m not a worrier by nature and even I have been worried lately. I find myself looking around at the bankers who posted their “highest profits for the third quarter” and the Corporations like Exxon who make billions in profit and yet paid not ONE dime in taxes last year, or the famous 1% who make more money every year off the backs off the middle class, and I get angry.
But worry and anger are so negative they can be debilitating. If I let myself wallow in those negative emotions for long, I think I’d soon become a bitter old hag.
My only remedy is gratitude.
That old song from White Christmas still rings true today. “When you’re worried and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep.”
So, I have to remember to look around at all the true riches in my life. My loving husband, a mom who’s always there for me, three healthy children, and many really good friends who would always be there for me. You can’t put a price tag on any of them.
When I remember to be grateful, suddenly things become so simple. Worries take a back seat to enjoying the gifts I’ve been given. The people I love and who love me.
And when it’s all said and done, it’s really all about the love.
I’m wishing you all love and peace and simple gifts this Thanksgiving holiday.
Enjoy a simple beautiful song here:
Simple Gifts

December 27th. It’s kind of a limbo day between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Nothing really special about this day. The excitement of the holiday, the parties, the gift giving is over, and on top of that, some of us may even have to go back to work tomorrow. Or worse, some of us may be working retail today and patiently helping all the people who are out returning everything they received and didn’t like. Ugh. A job I used to have and respect greatly. If I know my critique partner–and I do–she’s already got her Christmas decorations down.
When I was a child the days between Christmas and New Years were magical. No school. All the new toys to play with. Baked goodies my mom only made at that time of year, and the best thing: playing the new board game with my mom, dad, and sisters.
Every year we’d get a new game, and we’d play it for the next week. Anyone else remember a game called Masterpiece?
Or how about Mille Bornes?
And who didn’t play Life?
Ahhh, my childhood. Those were the days…

Now days when asked my favorite holiday, I half-jokingly answer; Labor Day. It’s the only holiday I don’t have buy, wrap, bake, cook, or cater to someone else. I still love Christmastime, but as an adult, I have a lot more work and a lot less time to play during the Christmas break.
And yet, there’s still something special about Christmas. I still believe in Santa Claus, and in the magic of this season. Every year I feel the ghosts of Christmases Past—my grandmother, my grandfather, and my father–surrounding me with their love, living in my heart.
I feel the excitement of Christmas Present, the anticipation of all my loved ones opening their gifts, eating a wonderful meal, and sharing the day.
And I can envision Christmases to come, when I might be dangling a beloved grandchild on my knee and watching with unspeakable joy as she experiences her very first Christmas.
Oh yes, I still believe in Magic.
After all, there’s nothing more magical than love.