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.