Christmas Eve

I think I deserve a F for Failure with how well I've kept this blog up in the last year. However the last few days/week have found me spending much time with friends that are in town. It's always nice to know that while we are all spread so far and thin, at least once a year during the holiday season, we all can come back together and connect for a few days or a few moments. And there's something about this town that pushes all differences aside. Rather than agreeing or disagreeing about how people have changed over the last few years, it's more about enjoying people for who they are and where they are. However, it is always interesting to see which ones are still concerned about keeping up appearances and touting off exactly how prestigious they think they are. I think in the last two days, I've said about 10 times that "money isn't as important as you're making it sound." There are moments when I keep my thoughts to myself and moments when I also go ahead and share them.

All that being said, I haven't been making very good headway on my goals lately. I haven't worked on any of the stuff for my job or school, but I guess I recognize that it will all get done one way or another. And it's been nice to take the time to really just relax. I've been able to keep up my swimming and running which has felt great, although I'm planning on taking these two days for Christmas Eve and Christmas off.

On Sunday evening, I joined a group of members from my church down here at the local mission where we sang Christmas carols with the homeless individuals who are staying there. While my fellow church goers have the best of intentions, it always strikes me somewhat sad and ironic that rarely do my fellow church members sit at the tables where the guests of the mission are seated. I tend to show up a few minutes late, so for the past two years have had the pleasure of meeting lots of great individuals who just happen to be going through some rough times. This year there were some adorable little kids there and lots of laughter was occurring throughout the event. Yet again, I was moved to watch one little girl in particular being so content to play with a naked doll with a broken baby carriage.....something that most other kids may have considered not playing with because it wasn't perfect. But life on this planet, in this society, isn't perfect...it's broken. And sometimes I feel I learn more about life from the broken non-perfect moments, things, and people than I do in most other situations. Because truly we all are somewhat broken.

And on that super cheerful note :-) I will leave you with a wish for a most Merry Christmas! May you be surrounded by your loved ones and many blessings-for we are so very blessed.