Simple Abundance

Well here we are in the middle of the holiday season with "ten shopping days" left until Christmas. I must say this is one of my favorite times of year, and I have enjoyed this Christmas season so much, but not for the reasons you might think. I have had some wonderful experiences this holiday season.

I was visited by my younger brother and his girlfriend in the beginning of the month and treated to Knotts Berry Farm which I had not been to in years! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves looking at all the Christmas decorations and the highlight for me was getting on the "Accelerator," an 82 MPH rollercoaster!

The next week, my parents came down and stayed for a few days. The time went by so fast, but we enjoyed having them down during this holiday season. I know my daughter really enjoyed seeing her grandparents and I could tell she was sad when they left. While they were down we saw "The Glory of Christmas" at the Crystal Cathedral. I have always wanted to visit and I finally did with my family. It was really a very special performance telling the story of Christmas through narrative and song with seven angels and live animals.

Next I went with my wife to her company Christmas party. Every year we say we are going to go but something always seems to come up, but not this year. It was small but nice, and the food was good. I think just the idea of getting away for a few hours was a lot of fun. Well there have been party invitations as well. We attended a birthday party for a friend's son and it was so good to see old friends as well as meet new.

This year has been different though as we agreed with our family and friends not to give "gifts." We have a large family and decided we would not purchase gifts as is our usual custom. I have noticed that what is most important is giving the gift of our time or presence. I have not missed the stores, crowds, or rushing around to finish last minute shopping. We didn't even go out and buy a fresh tree this year.

We have a nice artificial tree that we usually put up in one of the rooms but is not our main tree. This year we put it up right after Thanksgiving and it was just enough. The same with the gifts. We made some things that we have given away and my daughter is forever making art and crafts to give away. I'm not sure if it is the recession or what, but we usually receive a lot of Christmas cards, but this year has been the lowest ever! The strange thing is that it felt fine. Everybody who wanted to has called or written or we have visited already.

Even when my family came to visit there was a sense of "fullness" and a feeling that we had everything we needed. There was no need to buy anything for we had everything: Our family, friends, health, jobs, dogs, a cat, I mean what else could we want? Even still there were gifts...not new mind you, but things that were given with heart-felt thought. I received a "new" coat that was given to me by an old friend of the family back in my hometown who thought I might appreciate it, and I did! Then there was the food that my parents brought...handmade pasta from a shop where people wait hours to get in just to buy their favorite foodies. Again not ham or steak, but pasta, ravioli to be specific, tasty and simple.

I've been counting my blessings since Thanksgiving and I continue to thank The Universe for all that it has provided this year. I feel truly grateful for all that we have this season. In a time when our country is faced with a recession and with people losing houses, businesses, jobs, and relationships, I feel truly fortunate.

This has been a Christmas of Simple Abundance. We have had an abundance of love, kindness, and simple things. No we did not buy a new car, t.v., computer, or anything that lavish, but we have enjoyed time with our families, friends, and with our pets. We have laughed, drank hot apple cider, and eggnog and sang Christmas Carols. I have built a fire that took me way too long and then burned way into the morning to keep us warm and toasty. My daughter decorated Gingerbread cookies in the park, and I'm still grateful for her wonderful homeschooling classes.

Again, simple abundance. And as they said in the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Lighting the other night.

PEACE ON EARTH AND GOODWILL TOWARDS WO/MAN!