Well, it’s only a mere four days until Christmas rolls around. Although, if you asked my youngest son, he would say they are going to be the four LONGEST days on the calendar. While many people have been planning, shopping and baking for months, we are now entering that part of the season where people will practically sprint through the malls covered in flop sweat, trying to get their hands on THE latest gadget, gizmo or toy.
Today while we were decorating our tree (yes, it IS late and there’s an explanation which I won’t get into now), I got to thinking back about Christmases past. I remember the exciting Christmas before I moved to California, when my then boyfriend (now husband) gave me a promise ring, which I keep tucked away in the little lucite and velvet box it came in. It is kept company in that little box by a little white rubber band my husband gave me to wear on a picnic lunch he had fixed for me. If you were to ask me to choose between the two, I couldn’t.
As silly as it sounds I would probably choose the rubber band, and I’ll tell you why. My husband and I worked separate shifts for the first five years we were together, and he would bike clear across town to where I worked to visit me on my lunch hour before he had to go to work. That particular day wasn’t special, it was just an ordinary day in the middle of the week. He brought me a bologna sandwich on wheat bread, and couple of pickles spears. He EVEN put ketchup on my sandwich, which he detests. (Ketchup on bologna, not ketchup in general.)
As we sat on the picnic table in the California winter sunshine, we talked about the ‘tan’ people who lived across the street from the park in the tan house. We called them the tan people because they not only lived in a tan house, but they more often than not, wore tan clothes and also drove tan cars. We decided then and there we would NEVER be the tan people. Then he gave me the little rubber band ring, which I wore clear through the weekend.
It made me realize it truly IS the thought that counts. Not how much we spend, or where we shop, or even IF we shop. We all know the true reason for the season, Christ’s birthday. (True, there wasn’t much empathy on that particular night all those years ago.) However, we enjoy the spirit of Christmas that exists because it is the one time of the year when we are all a little kinder, more thoughtful and generous to those around us.
The odd thing is, we get much more in return from our kindness and generosity than it actually costs us. We feel truly good about ourselves and the world around us, yet we don’t do it all the time. We could live this year round…compassionate, caring and doing the right thing just because.
Give it some thought. I’ll check back with you next year to see how you decided to live 2009. As for me, I’m going to go find my rubber band ring, and start my New Year early.
All the best to you and yours!
