Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Can It Really Only Be Ten Days Away ???



    Ten Days and counting everyone...I should be in a panic as I am not yet done with all the preparations but as I get older I find myself staying calmer. Perhaps it can be due to years of experience, lowered expectations or possibly because as I have gotten older my views on what's important has changed. Don't get me wrong, while I have pared down some of my decorating from years past (I now put up one tree instead of three, four or five) it still looks like Macy's around here with lots of lights, greens and favorite decorations. I still continue to send out Christmas cards to friends and family, bake the traditonal Christmas cookies (though not as many) and have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at my home (my sons are still single and I foresee no signs of going to their homes for the holidays anytime soon).
   So why so calm you ask? I guess because I have found that over the years the part I enjoy most about the holidays is spending time with my husband, sons, family and friends. I still enjoy making the magic of Christmas come alive for all who enter through our doors but I suspect that even without all the decorations and gifts we would still enjoy eachother's company. Our time together is our greatest gift.
   We may or may not have monetary resources, our homes may be large or small, we may be at the peak of physical health or suffering through an illness but we still have eachother and time is the most valuable gift we can give. We all have a finite amount of time so giving it and sharing it are what means the most. We may not know exactly when our time will come or who may not be with us to celebrate the next Christmas so now is the time, not later. Embrace those around you, share yourself, your time and even your resources if you have them for each day is a gift, once gone never to be regained.

18 comments:

  1. I can't believe it and I am so NOT done shopping.. I am being a slow poke this year, not into the shopping.. Sending you and yours holiday joy!

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  2. Beautiful darling and you could have been speaking of me. We must be twins.

    But, I can't believe 10 days????

    Love Renee xoxo

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  3. Diva, I so loved this post...10 days...my stars and I am not even ready, haven't started shopping, barely decorated...just hard this year, but when I start to panic I just think of all my loved ones that are here with me THIS year and the pain is a lil less and the panic starts to ebb away...But I know I have to make my home have some Christmas, or my girls will be hurt, even though they haven't complained...so far :) Maybe by Christmas Eve we will be ready...maybe. I hope you are well and keeping warm :)

    Diva thank you so much for your lovely visit! It made me smile when I saw your name! My daughter found the boots at TJ Max, but I have looked for more around here for my friend..no luck so far, my gf looked on Ebay and well being that I am cheap and these are my FIRST pair of real Uggs lol I thought TJMax prices were so much better! :)

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  4. Diva I hope your sister is loving her tree and smiling everytime she sees it! I know she is getting so much love and strength from you and her loved ones to fight this! sending her love and strength from my heart to hers :) Like I said in my first comment, I haven't really decorated our home, but we have been at my mamas decorating hers...I don't want it to be the first year with out my dad with even more saddness not seeing the lighted tree the way he loved. He would turn off all the lights and have just the tree and the tv lit up lol Besos, Rose

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  5. Well said! My husband and I may not even give each other gifts this year... and I'm okay with that.

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  6. I agree with all you said 100%. Thanks for my card. Trust you have been good so Santa will find you.

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  7. Diva - You are so right. We all need to step back and 'be done'. I am getting older, and wiser, too. :) This year, I took down half the boxes from the attic, and you know what? It looks just as festive. As long as I have a tree and my family, I'm good. xox Pam

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  8. Diva how right you are...we might not have all the monetary things but we have to be thankful for what we do have...even if we don't have all our hearts desires, we need to appreciate the little things...and I want to say a VERY BIG THANK YOU for the lovely Christmas card that arrived from you today...it is gorgeous and I really do appreciate your thoughtfulness...big hugs Khris

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  9. You would think by my age I would have learned all you spoke of...but...it seems I only thought I had. It's a new ballgame this year. Time is our gift...our treasure. How could I have ever wished it away...but I did.
    I have had a few reminders this year. Yours was another...and I treasure it.
    Mona

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  10. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

    You have a way of hitting home with your beautifully strung together words. People get busy and forget how precarious life is.

    Reality shows us the most healthy person, for whom no concern exists, could be the one gone tomorrow, next week, next year.

    Time is the quintessential gift. Make someone a memory for Christmas. That's the ticket!

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  11. you're so right! Its a good time to slow down and enjoy these last few days until Christmas. Its so easy to feel frantic though...glad someone is remaining calm ;)

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  12. What a beautiful post. Full of truth and wisdom. Thanks for writing it down and sharing.
    Mary Lou

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  13. Hello my NJ friend. Come visit my blog for a wee surprise!

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  14. Very nice post. It touched my heart!

    Blessings to you this holiday season,

    Jo

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  15. I have got to get myself into a store.

    xoxox

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  16. Diva thanks so much for stopping by the blog. I loved your phrase "when God gives us a day off". That is EXACTLY what today was. Thanks for wording it so wonderfully. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  17. Only five days left now, but I have been determined this year to finish the decorating and shopping early so I could enjoy family and friends. That is all that is on my calendar now. Merry Christmas!
    Lallee

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  18. Gosh, I so agree. I feel the same way, I have also downsized all the hubbub but it is still just as Christmasy! I just look forward to the family time the most and friend time.

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