From One Christmas to Another.

The period of advent always seems to catch me unawares. In fact it's become really bad over the last few years. I am not sure whether it's got something to do with age or whether it's just the over emphases on material splendour the world seems to place on the time of advent. I make no bones about the fact that I detest the commercialization of Christmas. But that is just me. 

There is however another little factor that comes into play. 

The question is often posed. What comes first, Chirstmas or New Year. I have often tried to catch my nieces and nephews with this little trick. Most times I lose. 

Yet those few days after Christmas is often the most difficult for me. It's like being stuck in the doldrums with no wind and very little direction. It's the time when the god Janus comes out and forces me to look back and look forward at the same time. And honestly speaking the last couple of times I did that, both the past and the future looked equilly bleak. But I am an eternal optimist. I often need to force myself to reflect deeply. Where I was, where I am and where I need/want to be. 

Twenty fourteen has not been a good year. The harvest has not produced the finest vintage and it will certainly not go down in history as been one of the finest crops. In a matter of days it will end with me not working for a boss. That "security" of getting paid at the end of the month will be gone.The only option is now me to create my own security. I now have to do it for myself and I must honest, I am as scared as hell. I have never been here before. 

I do not make resolutions. I find it's like making a promise to yourself and breaking it a day, a week or a month down the line. However the one thing I do know is that my life is not in my hands. There is a greater Being that holds control over the path ahead for me. 

So 2015 will be a new beginning for me. Yet the greatest gift I have is this fact. I am healthy. I have resources, albeit somewhat limited. I am able to use my hands. I breathe. I have family that cares. I have friends that inspire and uplift me. I am not alone. And then, most of all, I have GOD on my side. All said and done, I am pretty much ok.

There are those that have very little, least of all hope. Let us think of them this Christmas     

"So This Is Christmas"......

 

I must be honest I am not a great fan of the commercial hype that comes to the fore this time of the year. In fact, I find it somewhat of an irritation when my ears get tortured by the endless sounds of Boney M and Mariah Carey doing their level best to earn royalties form the carols they sing. But that is just me. And Christmas is not about me. 

John Lennon penned the words to the song "So This is Christmas/War is over" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb5hk7jDvvs. . 

The words are somewhat repetitive. Yet they ring very true. In the light of the news headlines we heard over the last few days. A husband and father is held captive in an Eastern country. If one is to believe all the reports then he was on the verge of being set free. However, as fate would have it, he is caught in crossfire of apparent raid and killed the night before his release. He leaves behind a wife and children whose lives are shattered and broken and who will have to battle with the reality of preparing to lay him to rest ......just before Christmas.  

For many that will be Christmas. We all live in hope that we will see the breaking of the dawn every day. I am sure we all go to bed at night with a huge measure of confidence that we will awake as normal from a nights rest. 

Maybe the point I am trying to make is that we should treasure every moment. Capture those little moments of life that we seem to miss as we go about our business. 

As for Christmas. May we all just be that little light that will brighten up the day for someone else. That stranger in the car next to you may just need a smile. That colleague at work that never fails to wind up your last nerve may just need a hug and a word of re-assurance. And then, let us not forget the REAL meaning of Christmas. Let's put the CHRIST back in Christmas. 

"Let it be good one"

One of Life's Most Precious Gifts.....

We sit with candles burning all around. I am on a laptop with battery power and using a mobile WIFI devise to connect to the internet. I guess on the bigger scale of things I am a lot better off then a lot of other people. We have just had supper. Fortunately the food was prepared by yours truly earlier this afternoon. Depending on your perspective ,the only little or major  inconvenience is the fact that our power utility has failed to plan correctly and as result has turned our cities into black holes.So when one looks at the bigger picture, it certainly seems like I am better of then most.

Lets take this just a little further.

Yesterday afternoon, just as we are about to enjoy Sunday roast, a cell phone rings. The wife answers and hands the phone to me. On the other end is a desparate, almost distraught voice. He is a friend. The news he shares is not good news. He's young wife is breathing her last living breaths. Cancer has brought her to the edge and time is running out very rapidly. His plea is a simple one. Will we please just come through and spend a few moments with her and him. 

However things are never all that simple. Our location in relation to where they are is about a forty five minute drive. We overlook that small detail and decide to hit the road. 

What we find rocks the wife and I to the core. She is not human anymore. Her face is distorted and the once beautiful head of hair is no longer. Yet through all that she hears my voice and sort of responds. What is very evident is time. TIME is not on her side. Sadly her clock is ticking. It is only a matter of TIME.