So many people don't have a good Christmas to look forward too. Whether it is family strife, arguements, money problems, funerals, and a convergance of a million other things. I figured my Christmas would be short and rushed. I arrived home on Friday and came back to Philly yesterday. Short and sweet, actually that is exactly what it was.
I don't mean to brag but I have been extremely lucky and blessed in my life. I have a sister and two brothers whom I love and get along with great. I have a father and mother who raised me well (despite of everything) and somehow I guess I came out alright. Have have loving grandparents and aunts and uncles. In short my family rocks. Sure Christmas for my family has never been about excess. My family does not have excess. Rather we give out of our need to give. We have more fun gaging each other and giving things that we need rather then things we do not. Such gifts as a box and a stick for the older of my two brothers, from the younger (If you listen to FLN you get the joke). My siblings decided that I needed to do a scavenger hunt... which ended up not being as bad as I thought it would be (there was no duck tape this year). There was also a rock in a box given to the youngest (because he was being a smart @ss before I got home and we did not have any coal). Yet in reality, for me at least, it is more fun to see other's excitement when they see what you gave them.
And I guess that really is what Christmas is about after all. It really has very little to do with Santa or what we give each other, but what God gave us. He gave his son, not to be another good person to tell us what to do or say things like 'love your neighbor'. Rather God gave his son because if he had not, there would be no hope for any of us. Without the Death of that perfect Sacrifice there is not freedom, no love, no hope, no joy.
I hope you all enjoyed your time with your family and had a wonderful Christmas!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
No Holidays
(This monologue is meant to be a part of a group of monologues about my family/friends/growing up. Please ask permission before using this Monologue. Thank you)
Young Women: When I was fourteen I was shy and still played make believe with my friends. I was always a daydreamer. I still am a daydreamer. My brain was always, is always wondering far away in the worlds that I have either read about or that I make up. My dreams to no end when I wake up, rather they run behind everything I do during the day. When I was fourteen I was walking the line between childhood and adulthood as awkwardly as anyone. I had wonderfully horrible arguments with my mother about laundry. I had several college age boys hit on me...which at the time went over my head, I still thought boys were weird. I still think boys are weird.
Sometime during that awkward weird time when I was angry and scared and tired and whatever else it is teenagers feel, my Grandfather decided to pass on a part of his 'wisdom'.
Now my Grandparents at that time owned a car dealership. They were well respected members of the community. My Grandfather had grown up at the end of the depression and through World War 2. His older brothers had fought in that war, he had been too young. Instead he helped run the family farm and continually got in trouble for skipping school. My Grandparents on both sides of my family were hard workers, but my fathers parents passed on when I was younger, so they don't hold as strong of a place in my memory unfortunately. My mothers parents are still very much alive, and probably more active than I am. My Grandfather flies air planes, he even built the plane he currently flies. My Grandmother gardens and cooks and tons of other things.
Anyways, lets get back to when I was fourteen. I was hanging around the dealership one Saturday. My grandfather decided that it was time that I learn how to wash a car. For anyone who knows car dealerships, detailing cars is a big part of what they do. Before a car is handed over it is washed and vacuumed and made to look like new, even if its not. I was nervous about washing cars. My grandfather is a very strict man, kind but strict. He walked me through the basic steps, told me to not take any holidays, and left me with his red truck.
Let me explain what a holiday is. Its when you miss a place while you are washing the car. This place might have been wet, but because you never scrubbed it, when the car dries, you can see the 'dirty' place. Basically a holiday. I had heard this saying thousands of times, 'No holidays' I was terrified that I would leave a holiday. So I washed his truck three times before I let him come and see it.
Of course the real wisdom of the idea of 'no holidays' is deeper and farther reaching then washing cars. Although I don't think I ever thought of it that way when I was fourteen. At fourteen it was just about making sure I did a really good job washing that truck, so my Grandfather would not find fault. Yet every job I have ever worked I keep that in mind. 'No holidays' No taking a break or doing a half ass job. No missing something that seems unimportant or doing only part of the work. If you are going to do something do it, full force, to the best of your ability. If something is worth doing its worth doing right. I'm sure you have all heard that saying. Well for my Grandfather is means 'no holidays'. I wish more people had that kind of wisdom and actually enacted it. The world would be a better place.
Young Women: When I was fourteen I was shy and still played make believe with my friends. I was always a daydreamer. I still am a daydreamer. My brain was always, is always wondering far away in the worlds that I have either read about or that I make up. My dreams to no end when I wake up, rather they run behind everything I do during the day. When I was fourteen I was walking the line between childhood and adulthood as awkwardly as anyone. I had wonderfully horrible arguments with my mother about laundry. I had several college age boys hit on me...which at the time went over my head, I still thought boys were weird. I still think boys are weird.
Sometime during that awkward weird time when I was angry and scared and tired and whatever else it is teenagers feel, my Grandfather decided to pass on a part of his 'wisdom'.
Now my Grandparents at that time owned a car dealership. They were well respected members of the community. My Grandfather had grown up at the end of the depression and through World War 2. His older brothers had fought in that war, he had been too young. Instead he helped run the family farm and continually got in trouble for skipping school. My Grandparents on both sides of my family were hard workers, but my fathers parents passed on when I was younger, so they don't hold as strong of a place in my memory unfortunately. My mothers parents are still very much alive, and probably more active than I am. My Grandfather flies air planes, he even built the plane he currently flies. My Grandmother gardens and cooks and tons of other things.
Anyways, lets get back to when I was fourteen. I was hanging around the dealership one Saturday. My grandfather decided that it was time that I learn how to wash a car. For anyone who knows car dealerships, detailing cars is a big part of what they do. Before a car is handed over it is washed and vacuumed and made to look like new, even if its not. I was nervous about washing cars. My grandfather is a very strict man, kind but strict. He walked me through the basic steps, told me to not take any holidays, and left me with his red truck.
Let me explain what a holiday is. Its when you miss a place while you are washing the car. This place might have been wet, but because you never scrubbed it, when the car dries, you can see the 'dirty' place. Basically a holiday. I had heard this saying thousands of times, 'No holidays' I was terrified that I would leave a holiday. So I washed his truck three times before I let him come and see it.
Of course the real wisdom of the idea of 'no holidays' is deeper and farther reaching then washing cars. Although I don't think I ever thought of it that way when I was fourteen. At fourteen it was just about making sure I did a really good job washing that truck, so my Grandfather would not find fault. Yet every job I have ever worked I keep that in mind. 'No holidays' No taking a break or doing a half ass job. No missing something that seems unimportant or doing only part of the work. If you are going to do something do it, full force, to the best of your ability. If something is worth doing its worth doing right. I'm sure you have all heard that saying. Well for my Grandfather is means 'no holidays'. I wish more people had that kind of wisdom and actually enacted it. The world would be a better place.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Head Cold
I am sick. I have to work. I had an interview this morning. Its Monday. And most of all I am sick. I went home Friday with the start of a head cold. Saterday I was suprisingly productive for someone so sick. I did dishes, went grocery shopping, made really amazing beef stew and bisckets (my lunch today) and I did laundry. Sunday I went to church and was truely a bum the rest of the day. Minus the making of French toast for dinner. I'm hoping and praying that my cold is over before I go home for X-mas.
At least I have a couple of cool things to look forward to this week. Christmas Party at work tomorrow afternoon. Thursday My sister and brother are coming down, Friday I get to go home, and Saturday is Christmas! I just hope that I can make it through this week and the next. Holidays are always crazy!
At least I have a couple of cool things to look forward to this week. Christmas Party at work tomorrow afternoon. Thursday My sister and brother are coming down, Friday I get to go home, and Saturday is Christmas! I just hope that I can make it through this week and the next. Holidays are always crazy!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday
Todays lunch probably reaches number 2 or 3 on the weird lunch catigory. Its not number one because I am really sure that I have had a weirder lunch at some point in my life. Today I have, squash, spinich, and fruit snacks. Yep thats my lunch. Its not bad, just weird. All I had this morning when I was packing my lunch was leftover squash and spinich. So thats what I brought.
Not sure if anyone else just brings in random leftovers like I do. My Co-workers have gotten used to it. Yesterday I had some really good stir-fry that made the whole office smell really good. Yesterday My co-workers wanted my lunch... well today obviously not.
In other news, tonight a bunch of people from Liberti (the church I go to) and I are feeding the homeless at Logan Square here in Philly. The food is sure to be better then what I had for lunch and we are giving away winter clothing and sing charols. Should be a fun time! The last time I helped at Logan square I froze, but the people were amazing and cool. (I love people watching!). Happy Friday everyone!
Not sure if anyone else just brings in random leftovers like I do. My Co-workers have gotten used to it. Yesterday I had some really good stir-fry that made the whole office smell really good. Yesterday My co-workers wanted my lunch... well today obviously not.
In other news, tonight a bunch of people from Liberti (the church I go to) and I are feeding the homeless at Logan Square here in Philly. The food is sure to be better then what I had for lunch and we are giving away winter clothing and sing charols. Should be a fun time! The last time I helped at Logan square I froze, but the people were amazing and cool. (I love people watching!). Happy Friday everyone!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Stone King
Up on the purple mountain tops
above the mist covered valleys
Up where the air is thinner
and the sun harser, colder
There sits a stone carved face
A great king of old it might have been
with a high crown, hawk on wing
Now cracked, crumbled
now shattered, now humbled
Long has he sat staring
off o'er the mountain tops
Long has he been glaring
wondering how he lost
Long has he sat remembering
how once they bowed
how once he was king
Long has he sat
the high crown on his head
the hawk staring with him
off across the purple mountains
One day the rain will dissolve
and wind blow away
what makes him still a king
Some day he'll just be a rock
faceless, crown-less, cold
Up on the purple mountains
(link to picture)
above the mist covered valleys
Up where the air is thinner
and the sun harser, colder
There sits a stone carved face
A great king of old it might have been
with a high crown, hawk on wing
Now cracked, crumbled
now shattered, now humbled
Long has he sat staring
off o'er the mountain tops
Long has he been glaring
wondering how he lost
Long has he sat remembering
how once they bowed
how once he was king
Long has he sat
the high crown on his head
the hawk staring with him
off across the purple mountains
One day the rain will dissolve
and wind blow away
what makes him still a king
Some day he'll just be a rock
faceless, crown-less, cold
Up on the purple mountains
(link to picture)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Down by the River, Where the Water is Deep
Down by the Jordan
Where the river is deep
I went to wet my feet
I went to find a savior
Down by the Jordan
Where the river is deep
Take me, down, down, down
To the river
Take under, under, under
that cold water
Bring me up white as snow
And together we will go
O'er the Jordan, Onwards to Heaven
Oh my Brother and my sister
Down by the river
where that water is deep.
Take me, down, down, down
To the river
Take under, under, under
that cold water
Bring me up white as snow
And together we will go
O'er that water, Upwards to Heaven
Oh my brother and my sister
Come to the river
where the water is deep.
Where the river is deep
I went to wet my feet
I went to find a savior
Down by the Jordan
Where the river is deep
Take me, down, down, down
To the river
Take under, under, under
that cold water
Bring me up white as snow
And together we will go
O'er the Jordan, Onwards to Heaven
Oh my Brother and my sister
Down by the river
where that water is deep.
Take me, down, down, down
To the river
Take under, under, under
that cold water
Bring me up white as snow
And together we will go
O'er that water, Upwards to Heaven
Oh my brother and my sister
Come to the river
where the water is deep.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Numbers
Holiday Parties invited too: 3
Holiday Parties attended: 1
Holiday Parties still to go: 2
Random drinks w/ co-workers: 1
Random breakfast w/ roommate and friends: 1
Snow on the Ground: 0
Snow in the air: 1(flake this morning, that's it so far).
Hours my Sister and brother are driving to pick me up: 4 1/2
Hours to get home: 4 1/2
Presents Purchased in Stores: 5
Presents ordered online: 1
Presents yet to arrive by mail: 1
Presents wrapped: 2
To be wrapped: 4
Amount of wrapping paper left: 0
Number of Stockings on Mantle: 4
Number of Christmas trees in apartment: 0
Days Until Christmas: 12
Days Until I go home: 11
Days Until I go crazy: -13
Holiday Parties attended: 1
Holiday Parties still to go: 2
Random drinks w/ co-workers: 1
Random breakfast w/ roommate and friends: 1
Snow on the Ground: 0
Snow in the air: 1(flake this morning, that's it so far).
Hours my Sister and brother are driving to pick me up: 4 1/2
Hours to get home: 4 1/2
Presents Purchased in Stores: 5
Presents ordered online: 1
Presents yet to arrive by mail: 1
Presents wrapped: 2
To be wrapped: 4
Amount of wrapping paper left: 0
Number of Stockings on Mantle: 4
Number of Christmas trees in apartment: 0
Days Until Christmas: 12
Days Until I go home: 11
Days Until I go crazy: -13
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)