Christmas Wish

One of my favorite seasons of the year is upon us. I enjoy almost everything about Christmas; to me it means a change of pace, the excitement of decorating the tree, cutting pine boughs for the mantel, hanging the stockings and watching young and old light up on Christmas morning when there is a special surprise waiting for them. What I don’t enjoy about the season is the overt commercialism. It really struck home this year when I ran to Wal-Mart for a last minute fix for my little girls Halloween costume and they were putting out Christmas stuff?

This year my family has decided to give only presents that are handmade. It could be a poem, heartfelt letter, a painting, hand sewn Barbie doll clothes or anything created not purchased. We intend to put our energies and efforts into baking “good for you” cookies, doing good things for others and focusing on the best gift we possess: our love for each other.

We’ve also been stashing “the funny pages” as my grandmother calls them, from the Sunday paper. These colorful papers along with brown paper sacks are going to be our wrapping paper this year. When I was growing up, we never tore into our packages. We carefully untied the ribbon and used a pocketknife to cut the tape at the seams, folding the paper nicely and putting it into the paper box for next year. There was a time, when I was embarrassed about paper that had obviously been used before or wrapping a large package in several different papers so it looked like a patchwork quilt. Now I am much wiser and thoughtful. I understand the reason for re-using paper. It is expensive and wasteful. I read recently just how many million pounds of garbage wrapping paper adds up to each December. It was startling and sad.

My Christmas wish this year is to make a difference, even if it’s in my own little confines. About 6 years ago, a dear neighbor and friend, called me bright and early Christmas day and asked if I would go to the nursing home with her to sing Christmas Carols. Sure why not. I wasn’t spending the day with family. I should do something for someone. I didn’t know how much of an impression it would make on me. I’ve tried to put it into the mix for every Christmas morning since, whether Edith goes or not. It’s a beautiful way to start out a special day and I can only hope that the residents get as much joy out of if as I do.

So this Christmas, let the spirit of giving reign. Give back to the environment, your family and those around you. I promise, you will never feel better about Christmas!

Three of a Kind

What usually constitutes a decent poker hand, means, in this case, three girls very closely related, but not sisters, who love to be together.

We are not sisters, but might as well be. We are double cousins. Double what? You say. Ok, let me explain. Our mother’s who are sisters, married brothers. We have almost the same genes and lots of similar idiosyncrasies with the joy of not being siblings.

Jonel and I are 2 months and 7 days a part, Jennifer and I are 3 years, 7 months and 9 days apart. I’ve never had a sister, but in reality I have two. Both of them bring a lot of joy to my life.

Jonel is the most talented music teacher I know. She works in a school in a low income Tucson neighborhood bringing orchestra to life for children who would probably never get the opportuntity. When offered the chance to take over a well-rounded established program, she turned it down to build a fledgling program in a struggling school system. As a graduate of the Boston Conservatory, she could go anywhere, but true to her gentle ways she has chosen to help where there is no glamour, but the potential for gratification is huge.

Jennifer is a doctor. One who isn’t afraid to buck the system. She is a medical doctor, but that doesn’t mean she has to be beholden by anyone. She wants to help people, she stretches the limits, works beyond modern medicine and uses good old common sense. “Eat Bacon?!” She asks incredulously, “It’s my favorite food.” You see, she is a foodie, addicted to anything that might tempt the palate. She is also a terrific athlete, running marathons at regular intervals. She, too, is a humanitarian. She spent a rotation in Africa helping the less fortunate. And continues to look for other opportunities to give.

I remember as children we played on the ranch, where I was queen because I was a cowgirl and unafraid. And we played in the cities in which they lived. Once, we talked our Grandmother into taking us to a rated ‘R’ movie when we were in our pre-teens. She was horrified as she sat next to us and we covered our eyes for the love scene.

The three of us can go for months sometimes without communicating and then pick up right where we left off.

I am a very lucky person. Three of a kind is a good hand to hold. Especially if on either side the cards are people you love.