Time...
Good day readers, followers, Happy Christmas, Merry Christmas. Ho, Ho, Ho. It is Christmas day around the world whether you celebrate it or not. Earlier this year I wrote my most well received piece regarding the Easter Holiday and the correlation between the ficticious Easter Bunny and Jesus...that's pronounced "Gee-Zuss" not "Hey-Zeuss." Both are holidays originally based on religious events. Somewhere both became twisted events with characters like Santa, elves, talking reindeer (that fly!!?) and both are marketing and sales events.
I don't really understand why we are feeding a corpulent guy milk and cookies when he's probably pre-diabetic at best. I'm wondering if the elves are merely seasonal employees or if they qualify for a full benefit program? Maybe...just maybe I'm putting too much thought into all of this stuff anyway. The holiday season here in the states is generally from The 4th Thursday of November (Thanksgiving) through January 1 of the following year. Most plan to meet family. The common question is "What are you doing for Christmas?" Me? I'm writing this blog and then paying my bills. Ho, Ho, HO-Yeah!
This really hasn't been a joyous season and I've done my best to not pollute the people around me. I am mostly a happy and positive guy. Things didn't start well with the death of a close friend right at the start of the "season." My best living friend (Jeff), yeah that is a qualified statement if you're a first time reader, is really struggling with Gale's death. We both have been through a lot of life's challenges together, however he hasn't really reached out to me and I found out from his wife. I lean on my friends when I need them and vice versa, so it was a bit of a shock to find that out yesterday. We talk regularly. More so since Gale's passing.
I spent part of the weekend catching up with a couple friends that I hadn't spoken to and it was good for me. I'm glad that I was at Jeff''s house. The grieving process is a different one for everyone and to know that you're not alone is better. I really haven't spoken to many about Gale other than Jeff. In part it's because the 3 of us were a very tight knit group, and also because I didn't want to steal anyone's holiday joy.
When my best friend died over 12 years ago I spent a lot of time being angry. I didn't know how to process the emotions. Over time I became more grateful for everything that I got to experience that he did not. Sometimes the happiness was mixed with sadness because they were things that I would have preferred to share together. We were always supportive of each other and took great joy in each others successes and accomplishments.
I am still that way. I'm not a total downer here either folks! The season has had some really great and wonderful things that happened. My ABS (Always Been Single) cousin Peggy, one year my senior, got engaged. Peg spent a great deal of time chasing fun around the planet, so I guess she can "settle down" now that we are in our 50's. Another cousin, Trish, who's husband died suddenly 9 years ago also got engaged...she is also a year older than me. I am very happy for both of them. In Trish's case I am particularly overjoyed as she raised her three awesome children from the age of 43 by herself. We all grew up together and they are great ladies- very different but wonderful.
My greatest holiday season joy is for my dear friend Nicole. I've called her N2 in other blogs and for a long time. N2 got married again. No back story. It is not mine to tell. We have supported each other through challenging times and could rely on the other person to hold things in confidence. I was very careful to keep Gale's death from her because it was the week of her wedding. I really needed to talk to someone- but I just wanted Nicole to be surrounded by happiness- she deserved all of the joy and excitement that she experienced.
While I know that I could call for any reason- I held off a couple weeks until she asked why I wasn't in the holiday spirit. Here's the reality, I have done some stupid things when it comes to my friends. I've made some selfish decisions that I regret. I didn't think stealing the joy- even while getting support from a great friend was a good idea. Remember, there is a story that I am not telling here, but I feel much better with my decision this time around.
The Answerman says "Time does heal old wounds. There is not an expiration date on grieving. Time and friends make it easier. Time allows us to learn from our experience and make new and better decisions. Happy Christmas."
I don't really understand why we are feeding a corpulent guy milk and cookies when he's probably pre-diabetic at best. I'm wondering if the elves are merely seasonal employees or if they qualify for a full benefit program? Maybe...just maybe I'm putting too much thought into all of this stuff anyway. The holiday season here in the states is generally from The 4th Thursday of November (Thanksgiving) through January 1 of the following year. Most plan to meet family. The common question is "What are you doing for Christmas?" Me? I'm writing this blog and then paying my bills. Ho, Ho, HO-Yeah!
This really hasn't been a joyous season and I've done my best to not pollute the people around me. I am mostly a happy and positive guy. Things didn't start well with the death of a close friend right at the start of the "season." My best living friend (Jeff), yeah that is a qualified statement if you're a first time reader, is really struggling with Gale's death. We both have been through a lot of life's challenges together, however he hasn't really reached out to me and I found out from his wife. I lean on my friends when I need them and vice versa, so it was a bit of a shock to find that out yesterday. We talk regularly. More so since Gale's passing.
I spent part of the weekend catching up with a couple friends that I hadn't spoken to and it was good for me. I'm glad that I was at Jeff''s house. The grieving process is a different one for everyone and to know that you're not alone is better. I really haven't spoken to many about Gale other than Jeff. In part it's because the 3 of us were a very tight knit group, and also because I didn't want to steal anyone's holiday joy.
When my best friend died over 12 years ago I spent a lot of time being angry. I didn't know how to process the emotions. Over time I became more grateful for everything that I got to experience that he did not. Sometimes the happiness was mixed with sadness because they were things that I would have preferred to share together. We were always supportive of each other and took great joy in each others successes and accomplishments.
I am still that way. I'm not a total downer here either folks! The season has had some really great and wonderful things that happened. My ABS (Always Been Single) cousin Peggy, one year my senior, got engaged. Peg spent a great deal of time chasing fun around the planet, so I guess she can "settle down" now that we are in our 50's. Another cousin, Trish, who's husband died suddenly 9 years ago also got engaged...she is also a year older than me. I am very happy for both of them. In Trish's case I am particularly overjoyed as she raised her three awesome children from the age of 43 by herself. We all grew up together and they are great ladies- very different but wonderful.
My greatest holiday season joy is for my dear friend Nicole. I've called her N2 in other blogs and for a long time. N2 got married again. No back story. It is not mine to tell. We have supported each other through challenging times and could rely on the other person to hold things in confidence. I was very careful to keep Gale's death from her because it was the week of her wedding. I really needed to talk to someone- but I just wanted Nicole to be surrounded by happiness- she deserved all of the joy and excitement that she experienced.
While I know that I could call for any reason- I held off a couple weeks until she asked why I wasn't in the holiday spirit. Here's the reality, I have done some stupid things when it comes to my friends. I've made some selfish decisions that I regret. I didn't think stealing the joy- even while getting support from a great friend was a good idea. Remember, there is a story that I am not telling here, but I feel much better with my decision this time around.
The Answerman says "Time does heal old wounds. There is not an expiration date on grieving. Time and friends make it easier. Time allows us to learn from our experience and make new and better decisions. Happy Christmas."
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