Ready Or Not Christmas Is Here

It’s Christmas Eve and most of us are frantically trying to complete our preparations for the big day tomorrow. We are scrounging in stores with bare shelves hoping to find that last perfect gift for Uncle Joe, or Aunt Betty. Dashing around the grocery stores looking for cranberry sauce, yes the kind that comes in the can and jiggles like Jell-O.  All the things we think we must have for the Christmas to be perfect this year. All I can say is “STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!”

One of my mother’s favorite expressions was her reply to the often asked question “so are you ready for Christmas?” She would look the person in the eye and reply “ready or not Christmas will still happen.” Now this was a woman raising eight children while working full time at a physically demanding job yet  in that simple reply she spoke volumes of truth.

If we think about it literally of course she was correct there is nothing we can do or not do that will prevent tomorrow from happening. It does not matter if the sweater you bought for someone is too small, too large, or the wrong color. It does not matter if the sweet potato pie is burned. All that truly matters is that we take a small moment to stop and appreciate and express gratitude for the ending of another year. Look back on the good things over the past year. Try not to dwell on any perceived difficulties in the past months. Take only the good things into the New Year and leave as much baggage as you can in 2010.

As for me I will find the time tonight to step outside and simply listen to the stillness that surrounds me. Look up into the night sky and offer a thank you to the universe for the gifts of the past year. The gift received of good friends, good times, my job, my warm home, my health, and perhaps most importantly the gift of unanswered prayers.

So am I ready for Christmas? You bet I am but ready or not Christmas is here. Thanks Mom for the gift of life..

Merry Christmas and remember to live, love and laugh.

dmr  12/24/2010

Who Is Santa Claus?

"Santa Claus is anyone who loves another

and seeks to make them happy; who gives

himself by thought or word or deed in every gift

that he bestows; who shares his joys with those

who are sad; whose hand is never closed against

the needy; whose arm is ever outstretched to aid

the week; whose sympathy is quick and genuine

in time of trouble; who recognizes a comrade

and brother in every man he meets upon life's

common road; who lives his life throughout

the entire year in the Christmas spirit."

 

EDWIN OSGOOD GROVER

2DAZBFO 12/22/10

GIFTS ARE FOREVER

I sat and watched a child on Christmas Day

Happy and eagerly opening his presents

Expressing glee at each shiny new toy

Before it was replaced by the next bright box

No time was taken nor given in appreciation

As he moved on searching for the next present

Slowly my mind began to wander

I thought how like that child I had become

How I have been given many gifts

How I have enjoy those gifts

Yet often pushed them aside

For something shiny and new

Then and there a choice was made

I would enjoy each of my many gifts

The gift of each new day

The gift of my health

The gift of friends and family

The gift of laughter

The gift of love

The gifts that are yet to come

You see my friends presents

Well they may come and go

But our gifts are ours to grow

Forever and ever and ever...

dmr 2/09

2DAZBFO 12/20/2010

"There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life."

Federico Fellini

ROAD TRIPPING

I tell the tale of a long road home

Of dogs and Owls waving goodbye

Miles and miles we will go

On through the night

Small towns, big towns

Bright neon lights flashing

One giant peach goes by

Cup after cup of coffee

The moon silently stares down

The night is full of stars

But no Starbucks can be found

State line coming up

Feet up then down

Bright orange signs

Warn of construction zone

Speed limit 45

Or so says the giant sign

Glowing in the troopers flashlight beam

Officer Carter in the rearview mirror

Warning ticket safely stowed

Waffle House waitress full of sass

Pecan waffles and a bowl of grits

Restroom breaks and tanks of gas

Gaffney, Greenville, Atlanta

Water drips and seat belt choking

Scary pit stop in GA

Incense stick and Alabama bound

Empty cars all around

Lot lizards and alien abductions

Alabama state line

Still no Starbucks to be found

The sun rises

Burning off the mist of morning

Kudzu covered trees

Rest area ahead

Anyone have to pee?

Blood shot eyes

Another cup of coffee

Blue skies and cotton fields

Empty miles go by

Small town Florida

Cinderblock homes and sandy yards

Get your religion here

Another corner another church

Pushing over 24 hours without sleep

Pensacola straight ahead

Check in early

Straight to bed

To dream of white sands

Azure blue waters

Tomorrow is another day

DMR 10/28\09

IN DREAMS I FLY 

I dance with the clouds in the sky

Lightly leaping across the universe

The vivid rainbows color my eyes

A solitary star falls brightly burning

The winds whispers to my soul

Spiraling downward, falling, turning

Downy softness surrounds my fall

Gently waking I hear my life’s call

DMR & JWP

December Snow

Snow silently swirling

Whispering whiteness

Lace shrouded trees

Standing silent sentinel

DMR 12/16/2010

The Best Christmas Ever

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, as lights are hung, present are wrapped and carols are being sung. It that time of year when I remember fondly those close to us who are no longer with us as physical beings.

I am sure we all know what its like to try to buy a gift for you parents. Especially when they would never even think of asking for something they want. My mothers standard Christmas response to the question “Mom what to you want for Christmas" was always the same...."just for me to be home at Christmas". Simple enough request of anyone. However life goes on and we all grow up...and some of us move away to become what ever life intends for us to be.

Yet my mother's yearly request never changed. All that changed was from where I asked the question. Over a phone line from Charlotte NC, or Richmond VA, and for the first time my mothers request could not be possible. So for several years I agonized over what to buy her that she could use, or want, or even needed. I always finally settled for something that could be neatly wrapped and shipped home. A phone call on Christmas Day always brought a laugh and and a sincere thank you...but inside I knew I should have been there to look into her twinkling blue eyes and say Merry Christmas Mom.

As fate would have it the year came around that I didn’t really have the means to purchase a Christmas Gift yet I still asked the question in early December to get the traditional response and my reply of "We shall see". As Christmas came closer that year I just could not shake the thoughts of Mom and home and all the good memories that brought to mind. I guess even then I was just unaware of how prosperous I really am because my employer that year for the first time ever gave out a small Christmas bonus...nothing to write home about ...but just enough for a couple of tanks of gas. So late on Christmas Eve I headed out to give my Mom the only gift I could afford that year. Well as traffic can be on holidays the 8 hour trip stretched into 13 which put me home right about 5 a.m.

So to say the least tire and hungry I drove up the driveway to the house which should have still been dark at that hour. Yet for some reason the house was fully lit up and when I down the hall toward the kitchen my Mothers voice came to me. "Dexter is that you" As I came into the kitchen the table was fully set and breakfast was on the stove. She just looked at me and said she just knew I was coming home. Well long story short it was one of the best Christmas I ever had and that was the way I have the joy of remembering my mother....happy, blue eyes twinkling because I had given her exactly what she asked for. Nothing more than that I come home for Christmas.

Mom passed away the following August and that Christmas was the last time I felt the true joy of an unconditional love like no other. So love you parents and family....listen to what they are really asking for. Cherish the memories both good and bad.

Peace on Earth ...and love to all.

A COLD DECEMBER MORNING

A COLD DECEMBER MORNING

Finger prints on frosted window panes

Brothers and sisters shoulder to shoulder

Huddled round the wood stoves warmth

Yesterday’s gloves and socks hanging near

A faint smell of wet wool as they dry in the heat

My mother in the kitchen cooking breakfast

Fresh ham and eggs, with red eye gravy

Mismatched plates on faded yellow oilcloth

Ladder back chairs round our table.

Karo syrup with butter on hot biscuits

My father making coffee soakers

Grandpa yelling for his kettle tea

Another day begins on a cold December morning.

Dmr 12/15/10