Happy (and sad) Holidays

My wife and I are of the mind that people should celebrate at any drop of a hat, so these days we often look at each other, shout "Merry ChrismaKwanzUkkah" at each other, then make out under our 'mistle-roof'. It's a good thing.

The boys made out like bandits this year. They have too many grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc and not enough HOUSE to contain all of their toys! We're going to have to rotate through some of them in order to be able to move through the house. We've also had to store some of them at Nana's house. It's quite a good problem, like a blessing that keeps on blessing, but we're very grateful (in part because we haven't had to buy them any major toys or clothes for a while now, which really really helps out).

Now to the sadder part of the holidays. There have been a number of people who have 'crossed the river' as my ancestors used to say recently. I know I've pondered here about death before, so I won't get into the whole grief process again now, but I will say that I am going to miss some of those that have recently left us. I'm experienced enough to know that they are in a better place now, and much happier, but I'm still not ready to embrace that yet. Perhaps in a day or two.

For now, I'm still in the 'uncomfortable, missing' state of mind where I have a difficult time thinking that I won't see them again in this life. I feel wistful, and naturally start considering my own mortality again (which I've discussed here as well, so I won't go into THAT again, don't worry). There's a slight difference here though. Usually my train of thought goes through the process of "What is important in life", "No-one says 'I wish I'd spent more time at the office' when they go", "They all say, 'I wish I'd spent more time with my family'".

I'm starting to see more and more examples to contrary. People who enjoy their work, who know that they make a difference and brighten some lives every time they go to work, and will do everything they can to contribute! Contributing to a cuase they believe to be good. One of the people who recently left us lived by that. She knew that her health was deteriorating recently, and she still felt she had to contribute everything she could to both her family and her job. The job wasn't just a 'job' to her, it was an entire body of work. It was part of who she was and how she left her indelible mark on everyone who knew her. And I'm just one of many many people who she's marked for the better. She had a lot of fire, and I consider myself fortunate that I was briefly able to warm myself and bask in her warmth.

This is the way I'd like to leave my mark when my time comes. You hear of famous people working up until they pass (Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Suess, Charles Shultz, Rosa Parks, etc), but you rarely hear of thousands of others who display the very same level of commitment, but get prescious little recognition for it (and they are fine with that). Their memory and example is all we have to honor them, but that's all they'd like us to honor them with. I know I've said this at least twice here, but I still believe that "When think of those who have passed on, they can hear us." I will think of them fondly, and hope to follow their example, and pray that when my time comes that I will inspire others to do the same.

That, to a very great part, is why we are here in the first place.


P.S. Don't worry Brandi, this doesn't mean that I've stopped trying to find some ways to spend more time with you and the the boys these days when their formative years are most important.

P.P.S. (Post Post Scriptum) I have no idea what music I'm going to find for this entry. I'll look for something Christmas-like, but with a minor tone. Wish me luck. No . . .wait. . scratch that. I know EXACTLY what music goes with this. I've known it for years. Enjoy!