Let us be present!

Christmas Presence

There's been a lot of discussion around the water cooler lately about Christmas presents.

Not the gift wrapped kind with a price tag and a return policy.

Rather the good 'ol fashioned time spent with loved ones: Christmas presence, as in , "You must be present to win!"

That's my holiday wish!

That's my new year's resolution.

That's my prayer- to be present for my loved ones. Not an easy task for many of us, as we work to balance the rigors of our jobs, our families, our homes and our community.

One day at a time- that's the deal, the trick bag.

Life unfolds one day at a time. Even though I can plan my New Year's resolutions, I can only live 24 hours at a time because life changes on a dime.

One day is not related to the next. One day, Dianne and Charley had a son named Josh, who grew up to be a soldier. One day, he was gone. The newspaper, in the most microscopic way strangers can, honored the memory of that son on the front page today.
Though our loved ones can't always be with us, we can keep them present by honoring their memory. We can call our Mothers more often. We can tell our children that we love them without fail. We can let our spouses know how much we appreciate them.We can smile at a stranger, or try , for just one 24 hour period, not to think of ourselves. Rather, think of someone less fortunate than. There's always someone less fortunate.
I can't shake the vision of the silver-flecked Humvee I saw the other day at the mall. The parking lot was jammed with people scurrying before dusk to finish (or begin) their holiday shopping. The luxury vehicle nearly tore the side off  a minivan decorated with evergreen swags and Christmas bulbs, the two cursing each other as they passed.
I felt rage and frustration. I longed to be anywhere but that crowded parking lot.
That's why I need Christmas presence-to remember the reason for the season.
Because I live in a place where military vehicles are driven for pleasure and automobiles are decorated in holiday garb, all in search for the perfect present. God help us.
I wish you a meaningful holiday and a wondrous new year, one day at a time.                                    
                                                                                                                       Janet Denk

A few years back, this was an article written in the newspaper of our small town.
I keep it with my Christmas decorations and read it every year.

The column was called Janet's Planet. Janet and her husband owned the paper and Janet is the Mom of one of Emily's best friends!
As much as I valued the newsworthy information and photos of home town events, I always made sure to read her column....usually while walking into the front door on my way in from the mailbox.
Last year, with the economy in the tank, sadly, the newspaper went down too.
I have missed Janet's Planet and have told her many times.

This summer, Janet found my blog. She was so encouraging to me....especially since she is a real writer...and I am just pretending to be a writer over here.
I told her that she should start a blog as a place to continue writing Janet's Planet.
She did....and she posted her first 'column' at the end of September.
Then she took a break.....a long break....until now.

I hope that you will join me in welcoming her to the blogosphere!
You will find her here!
You will be touched by her writing, encouraged and inspired too.
And as you know...if you comment...she'll keep writing. I really want her to keep writing. You'll see that you will too.

Thank you friends!
And remember
Let us be present this Christmas....Our presence is the best present, indeed!

Today is alphabe-Thursday!

The letter of the day is 'L'.

Head on over to Jenny Matlock's blog to read more!