'Tis the Season To Just Be

Labor Day and Halloween are over, and veterans

holidaysfortoday.com

have marched in their parades across the
land (those who aren't still serving, dodging IEDs
and tanks). Autumn colors in the stores compete
with Christmas reds and greens though Thanksgiving Day
is several weeks away. The next few weeks are special,
quite significant in and of themselves, to me, and to some
others whom I love. Daughter Becky will be 32 this Thursday,
and on a sadder note next week, a one-year anniversary
no one would ever want: the passing of the much-loved brother of a close, dear friend. Another week's gone and son Caleb
will be 36, which means his birthday buddy Rodney
must be, by now.. .good Lord! How quickly the time went.
We've been married 37 years December 4, and I'll be,
all too soon, a 56-year-old. My parents mark their 59th,
Jasmine turns 15, and all that's just between today
and Christmas! Busy time, important days, reminder
to live in the present, delighting in each day we're
given, savoring the life that's there, and taking time
and care to love, and show love, to each precious
person in our lives and yet beyond. Holidays, and holy
days, are markers by which years roll by. We'll shed
tears of joy and sorrow, laugh across our tables,
open gifts with just as much excitement as we did as children.


(c) Ellen Gillette, 2013