The Perfect Christmas

[Thomas3.20.2010]

When I learned to let go of the "Perfect Christmas" - I found the Perfect Christmas!

Our Family no longer care if we have the wonderfully coordinated home decorations, the fabulously traditional home baked goods and huge meal, the endless gifts for everybody that we can think of so they won't be mad at us! 

We decorate with joy - not stress - if and when we wish to! If we don't decorate elaborately, we know Jesus won't be offended - and after all, it is HIS BIRTHDAY we're celebrating!

If we have a great time cooking, so be it! But the pressure to make it all come out perfectly is gone! Cooking is nurturing our Family, not stressing ourselves out! If it isn't fun, then what's the point?

The best present my Sons can and do give to me is their time! We talk, sing together, laugh and share! We hug and kiss and tell each other how very important they are to us! We share our good times in joy and troubles with empathy. We allow ourselves to feel whatever we feel, not only happy, and smiles, but sad, angry, frustrated, anxious - all of it with the knowledge that we are Family and the Lord wil provide for us IN ALL THINGS! 

We cherish our LOVE which is what the Lord has given and we have learned to receive with the same generosity as given. We live in the Spirit of Christmas and only let the materialism of the Season serve us to the extent that we find love and joy - not serving materialism so as to make the Commercialists happy - but to make US content with the many blessings we have, none greater than the time we share together!

We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May the Peace, Love, Joy and true meaning of Christmas permeate your each and every Day during this Season of HOPE! 

[smorgy8513]

Thanks Thomas.  We've cut back on buying presents, I still get caught up in trying to do too much.  After reading some responses to my earlier blog I think I'm trying to make everything ok for everyone.   That is not living by the real reason,    I  love your celebration ways....can you adopt me as a sister?    Think I'll start with creating a blessing for Jesus time....starting today!

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Consider yourself a part of my Family! Merry Christmas, Sharon! I feel so Blessed to have you as my Sister!

[YoungAtHeart]

I am trying REALLY hard to cloak myself in your spirit, but as we speak, the powers that be have decided that THIS will be a good time to remove the asphalt from my street and repave it over the next week.  OK - the cloak is starting to slip...............

Help!

(May you be blessed this holiday season),

Nancy

[Thomas3.20.2010]

What would Jesus say about our predicament, Nancy! My goodness, I hope you vote in local elections! That's pretty silly - to say the least! I'm guessing whoevertheyare doesn't live on your street! That's why I cncluded the part about feeling what you feel - all of it - but also realizing that the Lord will somehow provide! HE will, you know?

[JonesCarpeDiem]

i realized that for small children often enjoy the unwrapping as much as the gift so as i decided i am not going into debt for Christmas this year, i went to the dollar store.

i took care of alot of my gifts for $50.

the older kids understand i am retired so, we make more of our time together which is what it has always been for our family anyway.

i'm not stressing. i'm enjoying the blessing.

one of the biggest is being tobacco free.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

The Spirit of Christmas is LOVE! Smoke FREE is the BEST present you can give yourself and your Loved Ones!

[JRC]

Thank you for posting this wonderful blog. Put things in perspective very nicely. A Blessed Christmas to you and your family.  Janet

[candylance]

We do the same as you and celebrate the spirit of Christmas! If we can rid ourselves of unrealistic expectations, we can all enjoy ourselves. Wonderful blog, Thomas! Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! (I'm usually saying Read! Read! Read about your addiction) Never can tell who might be reading this.

[moody_9-18-13]

Nothing says Christmas to me like music! And, in the spirit of keeping with the true meaning of Christmas, I want to share this absolutely beautiful video with you.

Cee Lo Green “Mary did you know?”

http://www.uptv.com/blog/uplifting-video-mary-did-you-know-music-video

[IrishRose]

So very true. Thomas, what you say in this blog. 

Merry Christmas to you and your family, as well!  (((hug)))

[freeneasy]

[phyllis-12-7-15]

Merry Christmas Thomas.

[wishingstar]

Have a Blessed and Mery Christmas. thank you for all thew support and knowledge share with us. thhat is gift in it self

[jojo_2-24-11]

Feelings, Family and Friends, that is it for me! Merry Christmas, Thomas!

[kathy_ryz]

Thanks for your inspirations! Have a Merry Christmas!

[jchristopherson]

What do you give the man who has everything? A smile!

What do you give the woman who wants everything? A smile and hug.

What do you give the child who wants everything? Your time and energy!

None of these cost anything and all of them reward the giver as much as the reciever.

Know that each and every one of you are in my heart and in my prayers.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

[kloud9]

WOW!  Sum People actually celebrate Christmas as opposed to Commericalmas.    May All have a blessed HOLIDAY and A Properous and SMOKE FREE New Year !!!    Thomas Thanx for such an inspiring blog.

[charo-lynn]

THOMAS,

   YOU ARE AN ANGEL, THANK  YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON HERE. I JUST TRIED TO SEND YOU A SITUATION I AM HAVING WITH COPD AND IT DIDN'T LET IT GO.

 I GET SO SCARED, I HAD A EXCABERATION THREE WEEKS AGO, WENT TO DR. , WE ARE AT OUR HOME IN FLORIDA, HE GAVE ME PREDSONE, ANTIBOTIC AND COUGH MEDICINE. TOLD ME NOT TO USE MY NEBULIZER, MY DR. AT OUR HOME UP NORTH NEVER EVER GAVE ME COUGH MEDS, BUT WITH THE OTHER MEDS SHE HAD ME USING MY NEBULIZER.

   WHAT BROUGHT ON THIS ATTACK, WAS I WENT ON A CRUISE, THE HUMIDITY WAS TERRIBLE, I WAS SO ACTIVE AND USED MY NEBULIZER PROB. THREE TIMES A DAY, CAME TO HOME IN FLORIDA AND BEFORE i UNPACKED i WENT TO THE DOCTOR.  i DON'T REALLY KNOW HIM, HE DID GET ME BACK GOING, THEN A FEW DAYS AGO I STARTED BEING SHORT OF BREATH, COUGHING, USING MY NEBULIZER TWICE A DAY AND THE INHALER MAYBE ONCE OR TWICE..

     NOW I AM SCARED TO DEATH, I HAVE PANIC ATTACKS AND I CANT TELL IF I AM HAVING ANXIETY OR IF IT IS MY COPD. I HAVE XANAX TO TAKE AND ZOLOFT, BUT AM HESISITANT TO TAKE XANAX THINKING IT MAY NOT BE GOOD FOR MY LUNGS. WE HAVE HAD HIGH HUMIDITY HERE IN FLORIDA, SO I HAVE BEEN STAYING IN MORE THAN USUAL.

   I GUESS I JUST GET SO SCARED, AND I OBSESS WHEN I HEAR THE WHEEZING. IS THAT NORMAL?  I QUIT SMOKING AGAIN CLOSE TO 72 DAYS AGO,I MISCOUNTED , I KNOW IT IS AT LEAST CLOSER TO 72 THAN 60. FORGIVE ME FOR BOTHERING YOU. WITH GOD'S LOVE CHARO44@AOL.COM