Thoughts on a December Day

It’s Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I always remember this date, although I think many others forget it. There are probably some who live in this country who don’t know what Pearl Harbor was. This is sad considering what those men and women went through on that day. It’s interesting to think about as well as grotesque – bodies being blown to bits, people being burned, mass hysteria…I’m grateful I was not there and I am willing to remember the sacrifice of everyone who went through something then not just to honor them, but so I can keep myself mindful of the prayers I need to pray so that never happens to me. I think this is the two-fold purpose of remembering the fallen. One, primarily to honor them and two, to make sure it never happens again.

Anyway, it’s cold outside and dreary, or it was this morning, and I have a bad case of allergies that have pounced on me and threatened to snatch my oxygen away. They’re such a pain, allergies. I read somewhere that eating clean for a few months can make them go away and I have considered giving up chocolate and bread of all forms just so this miracle can occur.

My Christmas tree still sits at HEB waiting to be purchased. It simply isn’t Christmas until my tree is set up in my living room and decorated. This December is already moving by at the pace of lightning – the first round of holiday parties begin next week and I’m sure they’ll continue until pre-diabetic comas have descended on the attendees. That’s the only thing I have against Christmas. I end up either exerting a tremendous amount of self-discipline or waddling. Neither of these are fun to experience and unfortunately there is no in-between stage one can levitate in - slightly waddling and slightly saying no.

How nice is it that we have the opportunity to buy Christmas trees and celebrate holidays. It’s such a blessed world we live in. We are free from dictators, from oppression of all kinds, and we are blessed with more than enough goodness, in terms of presents and food and friends and family. This American life is beautiful in so many ways, and I’m thankful to be alive, enjoying it.