I don't have to send out Christmas cards or write a Christmas letter. Instead, I keep in touch with friends through Facebook and my blog and face-to-face conversations and phone calls.
I don't have to buy a Christmas tree and put on all the memory-infused ornaments, from when our kids were growing up. Instead, I put up a small artificial tree to display in the window of my small winter home, and appreciate the lovely light it makes.
I don't have to buy gifts for family and friends. Instead, I donate my time to an asylum seekers' shelter and my money to the Salvation Army toy drive - which last year provided a Christmas gift to several thousand children in the Tucson community - and to The Inn Project so volunteers can buy socks and underwear, razors and deodorant, coloring books and crayons and gloves and hats.
I don't have to attend Christmas parties with more people than I'm comfortable with. Instead, Art and I can host a Christmas Day dinner for four woman friends.
I don't have to be perfect when my handbell choir plays next Sunday. I can miss that D# and still feel grateful for the opportunity to do music.
I don't have to make the Christmas cookies from my mother's recipe. Instead, I can lick the beater as Art makes his biscotti with cranberries, which he'll give out in baggies to friends over the next week or so.
I don't have to worry about the state of our divided country. Instead, I can listen to others while they say their truth, and respect what they say, and be grateful that we are all entitled to speak our minds and hearts.
I don't have to spend time wishing I had a younger, more flexible body. Instead, I can do the stretching and strengthening exercises my physical therapist has given me, and I can buy custom orthotics to put in my shoes, and I can take three short walks a day, and I can follow my Mediterranean diet with about 85% compliance and notice as my clothes get looser.
I don't have to!
12 comments:
Hi Linda! You are so right--none of us have to--but it is always good to be reminded. Merry Christmas and I hope your holiday is filled with peace and happiness! ~Kathy
Well said! Merry Christmas!
Exactly!
Happy HolyDays Linda.
So true! It’s nice to be able to drop some things and alter others to suit new situations, and to do it without guilt. Great reminder.
Good for you. I still WANT to.
Your celebration of the holidays sounds absolutely perfect to me! Merry Christmas, dear friend. :-)
Your tree looks lovely in the window.
You have the best attitude and the most beautiful heart. Merry Christmas to you.
You go girl. I think you are enjoying picking your enjoyment and living your best Christmas.
Good advice. We can all celebrate as we choose and that's the beauty of the season.
What Maebeme said ... plus, in part, the beauty of getting older.
I have had one thing after another since sept. 1 2019 hospitalization in the e/r and home then the shingles it has just gone on and on!!!! I don't really do the holidays we use to celebrate hanukkah and Christmas but not so much now..we think everyday is a day to celebrate love, peace and joy..we are having some rain, this year it has been the driest in about 40 years since we moved from Colorado and it was dry there..Happy Holidays, I read your blog frequently and I am the same age..Life is so unpredictable and one just has to savor each and everyday..I admire your many activities helping others, gratitude and love for others to me is Christmas and hanukkah each and everyday, have a most merry & happy time, peace, joy & love sent to you and yours!X()
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