When I was a little girl I
got ONE thing for Christmas.
Seriously! One thing! And I was happy. I usually got a baby doll and I named
her and I LOVED her. We put out
popcorn and a beer for Santa. (My
dad had a sense of humor and we didn’t know any better. I was probably in third grade before I
realized that Santa liked milk and cookies.) We would hang up one of my dad’s socks and in the morning
we’d find a few nuts, an orange, and a candy cane in it.
Those were the days before
television and advertisements. Our
family had one bathroom and one car for six people and somehow it worked. We never went out to eat because there
were no fast food restaurants.
There were no books or cartoons about Santa, so my vision of him was
created from my imagination and “The Night before Christmas.”
Wasn’t I naïve? I didn’t know I was suppose to get tons
of presents and leave out milk instead of beer. Ignorance really was bliss because I have such sweet
memories. It’s also called
selective nostalgia because I only remember the good things. I try to forget the family feuds and
some of my disappointments. It
does no good to recall the negative things.
That might be the secret
to true happiness this holiday season.
Forgive and forget the unkind words and hopes unfulfilled. Focus on the positive and things that
you have in your control. Surround
yourself with people you love, and ignore the ones you are not too crazy about.
The family is arriving
today, so I’m going to turn off my computer for a few days. Nick, Holly, Peter, Kalina, KJ, and six
(yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6!) dogs will make the days merry and barky!
I send you peace, love,
joy, and hope!!!
Merry! Merry! Happy! Happy!
