A DICKENS TALE

I know it's weird to be writing about December (2008) in mid-February, but only a post or two to go and I will be caught up!

I thought December in California would be a lot like its description at the beginning of the song "White Christmas". "The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway..." But it was actually quite cold here and different than I ever expected it to be.

Words of Charles Dickens constantly rang through my mind, but not the obvious ones. Instead of quotes from Tiny Tim or even possibly stressed induced, "Bah Humbug!", all I kept thinking was, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

I wasn't the only one. While attending church on Sunday at the beginning of the month, announcements of births and mission calls sounded over the pulpit. This was followed by the sincere comments of others-- views of faith and belief interwoven in stories of struggle, loss, anticipation and joy. I sat there and pondered,"There is so much to be had, so much to be grateful for, yet so much to miss and worry about." But overpowering it all was a firm message of hope, that this life is merely a mortal one and we rejoice in the Good News celebrated at the end of each year.

Throughout that month materialism really didn't matter. (Isn't it amazing how even when you are trying to save or be frugal, money can still conquer your minds? Even when you aren't out on sprees daily, you can still be obsessed with the money you HAVE or might be GETTING to keep, instead of, how we normally think of being materialistic, money we are SPENDING or what we are GETTING in return for it.) Even though I was trying to stretch my budget to make it all happen, I was blessed with that balance and blessed with faith. I didn't care much about things. I didn't wonder what might be wrapped up under my tree or even what the new year would bring. Instead I was grateful and most grateful for one reason, Dan.

I could remember just a few Christmases before only wanting someone to share the season with and now I had it. That meant everything. The words from one of my faves, Sarah McLachlan, described it all, "I could be happy just to hold the hands I love, on this winter's night with you."

Believe it or not, months later I am still grateful for this guy in my life. I am glad that he does things that I can't or would rather not do, like kill spiders and get things out of high cabinets. I love the fact that I can COMPLETELY, 100% trust him with dishes. He knows how to do the job just how I like it-- table wiped off, no crumbs on the counter and everything. Impressive, I know. I am grateful that he listens to me and that he is and always has been my friend.

Well that ended kind of romantic now, didn't it? Maybe this post is appropriate for mid-February after all.