Update 26 December 2018…

Dear Readers and followers, 

I am slightly saddened by the lack of interest or even free thinking people out there. Anyway, it is the day after Christmas 2018. I have, however, regained my faith in humanity. Even with the over-commercialization of the holiday, I saw many a person doing good for others and expecting not a thing in return. 

In my house, the only one to receive a gift was, you guessed it, the dog.

I may not have had “gifts” in the form that I could open, under my tree, but I received them all through the holiday season. We went and spent Saturday with my grandmother and that side of my family. Grandma (turned 86 this past 18th) insists on cooking to make everyone happy and then some, would not sit down for more than 2 minutes, even when she handed out the gifts to the great-grands. But we spent time with her, my brother (he is awesome and knows me so well), my dad and the cousins that were there.

Then we stopped over to see a friend who didn’t even expect us to stop. (We were just 10 minutes down the road). Instead of gifts, I put a basked together (I should have taken a photo – darn) with homemade cookies, fudge, jam, banana bread, and zucchini bread, and delivered. I played throw the ball (forever down the hall) with his parents dog (they are in a nursing home now) Zoey, she is a doll. 

But my holiday gifts do not end there….. 

Christmas Eve, although it started with a visit to my Dr. (yes she was in the office) was pretty rocking awesome for this small town country girl. After the Dr., we went and spent a few hours at my mom and step dads. And I got to play with their dog, Daisy May. Wow, is she a handful, but she will tell you she loves you, so cute. (The photo here is her looking to see if anyone is looking before she jumps on the chair to steal the homemade treats (cookies) I brought for her. )

I did receive the most beautiful jewelry box that has a music box in it from my mom. It brought tears to my eyes (even now as I write this). Once again, we put a goody basket together for them also (but they has homemade applesauce in theirs). It was nice to sit and visit without any expectations or the chaos that usually ensues on Christmas Day. 

Ah yes, the best part of the holiday, the best gift of all, came at Andy’s Parents. His son and wife brought the grand-baby over. It is amazing how happy a person can be just to get to observe from the outside the love that is there for the grand-children. He is the cutest thing. (Yes, cuter then the dogs I got to enjoy and visit with). I would put a picture of him up, but…. I have not asked permission. But the visit with everyone there was nice. It was another calm and quiet (as it can be with a 1 year old crawling all over) restful visit. 

Christmas Day, we sat and watched TV pretty much all day long after I made french toast and scrambled eggs.

Whew…. so as you can see, gifts do not have to come in shiny paper with sparkles and bows. They come in the tiny things, the small details. 

Hope your holidays were blessed,

Jennifer

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Original Post:

Dear Readers and followers,

Today, I am reaching out to each and every one of you. Help me understand the meaning of Christmas or the Holiday Season. Today is Winter Solstice, some consider it a Pagan Holiday. I see the holiday season more as an over commercialization most days. The days of yore, times past, are long gone. The times of huge family and friend gatherings are over as people spend more money and spend time only with those that can do something for them (i.e. the biggest gift, the most expensive gift, etc.).

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing your replies and restoring my faith in humanity. I will follow up with this post next week. Keep an eye out. 

In the meantime, Merry Christmas to you and yours. 

~Jennifer A Adams

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