It is hard to believe, but it is that time of the year again…the hustle and bustle of October thru the first of the year. We all start the celebration of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We are putting up decorations and then taking them down, replacing them with the next set, we are doing lots of cooking and baking, we are going to lots of parties, and we are doing lots of shopping. However during this busy time, how much of the actual time do we spend with our families, how much of the time do we spend giving thanks, how much of the time do we stop and smell the turkey, how much of the time do we spend tasting the food we labored over, how much of the time do we actually enjoy during this time? I think for many of us, we get so caught up in the preparation and anticipation that we forget to take it all in and enjoy it. We forget that this is the time our families will treasure most.
Keep in mind, we will forget the decorations, the food, the presents, and the things, but we won’t forget the relationships, the love, the memories, the joy, the togetherness. Our children won’t remember the presents of the year or the food they ate or the money spent, but they will remember the time you spend with them, the hug you give them, the gift they give to another child whose parents can’t afford one, or the meal they serve to a homeless family. These are the things remembered during this time of year, these are the things this time of year is supposed to be about. So let’s try to remember to stop and appreciate those around us, to use this season as a time of giving, whether it be a smile, a word of encouragement, a gift, to use every moment as an opportunity to spread the joy of the season. Forget about the rest…you might surprise yourself, you may actually find some joy yourself.