Peace

Good will

My Christmas list is pretty simple. I wish for Peace and Good Will for all of us. What else is Christmas really about ? Over the past few weeks all of the Christmas movies have been playing across our many available channels.The classics from Scrooge and his ghosts to Jimmy Stewart helping a new angel get his wings…

(there’s a lot of time travel in these films)…to the newer films with oversize elves and lots of versions of Santa and how he does his magic against all odds…and some bad players trying to undermine the whole gifts down the chimney operation….and then there’s the films dealing with the miracle of the baby Jesus and how we have portrayed what that world was like 2,000 years ago across 100 years of cinema.

So what’s my take away from all of this winter solstice cinema ? That the goal is to be our better selves…to give that gift to our family and friends…and to the people in our world that we contact every day….and to receive that gift from others with grace and humility.

The other wish that I have is for good health to all. As I’ve aged and now become one of the “elders” in our extended family tribe, I don’t take that one for granted any more. I’ve been fortunate and been pretty healthy in my adult life…but I now see the effects of living past 65 all around me…and I wish for a healthy 2025 for all.

We celebrated a large family Christmas gathering on Saturday that was a real joy and kicked off our season with “Secret Santa”, food and a Ravens win over the Steelers.

Our children are having children now and there were 4 young cousins from almost 5 to 1 getting to know each other, as the rest of us caught up and remembered “old times” and our parents and grandparents who are no longer “in the room” with us.

There will be more celebrations this week as we all do our thing.

I want to give VERY special thanks to my wife, my soul mate Linda…”Miss L” to many… for her unwavering love, care and support this year. It’s been a busy one, with some curve balls and sliders, but we’re in our new nest on a forested hillside that suits our style and this time of life.

I enjoy having this community of expression and connection…and wish you all the best in this New Year. Peace to all.

M