Now that it’s over, I trust everyone had a nice Christmas?
I dedicated my column to my cousin Gloria, who passed away the week before the holiday week, and, I must say, the outpouring of love was humbling. I know her husband, son, and grandchildren appreciate the kind words of sympathy, condolences and love, and I do too.
And yes, we were not the only family to suffer a loss during holiday week, and my deepest condolences go to those families as well. Just remember, you are not alone.
Looking over all the social media outlets online has been fun and uplifting and happy. I particularly love looking at the young families where Santa Claus made a visit on Christmas Eve.
I know plenty of younger couples with late additions to their families, and I recently spoke to one of those new moms asking her if she noticed a baby boom lately, and she agreed. She told me so many of her friends are having babies and literally, there are babies everywhere all of a sudden. It’s fun to watch.
I know school districts have not seen increased enrollment in a very, very long time and I often wondered if that would happen again. This generation just might put a dent in those lost numbers and bring up the population.
Some of the warmest videos I viewed were parents recording their children on Christmas morning to check out what presents Santa left. They brought back a lot of memories and emotions from when my children were young.
I saw one video where the young boy was so excited about one gift, he was screaming out with joy and it brought me back to when my eldest daughter, Tiffany, whose birthday is today, was so excited about getting the card game UNO.
It was that Christmas when I realized it wasn’t the size of the Christmas gift that mattered. A card game, just a few dollars at that, was the big winner that year.
My daughter Ashley, whose birthday is on Jan. 13, was not as animated on receiving gifts from Santa. She took it all in stride.
As I mentioned in last week’s column, Santa skipped the Callaio family when it was decided no gifts would be exchanged.
I have to admit, Christmas Eve is the day when we usually exchange, but this year was a bit of a downer. I realize that Jesus is the reason for the season, as the saying goes, but the joy I get from trying to come up with a memorable gift for my loved ones is what gets me excited.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to receive a gift even if it’s UNO, but for me, it’s about the giving and knowing I hit a home run on what I choose for someone.
I don’t believe it has to be the $300 Vitamix blender or the $400 Kitchenaid mixer; it’s the thought behind the gift.
I get the idea of not exchanging because the money spent could be enormous, and if you live long enough, at times, you just have no idea what to get someone. There are plenty of other families holding off on gifts, too.
Next year will be different with my family, and I will reintroduce the idea of gift giving in the fall.
Now that Christmas has come and gone, we turn our attention to my least favorite holiday: New Year’s Eve.
I was never a fan of getting dressed up, spending a ton of money on food and drink to usher in the New Year with, for the most part, a hall of strangers.
For me, I’d rather just sit home safe and sound, not worrying about drunk drivers, loud places, and a possible hangover, to enjoy bringing in the New Year in the comfort of my own home.
I was recently asked about a New Year’s Resolution for 2025, and I just don’t really do them.
Most people start off on the right foot with a resolution, but within the first few weeks of January, all of the resolutions are long gone.
Of course, it goes without saying, we all would like to get healthier, thinner, richer, happier, quit smoking, and quit drinking at the start of a new year. They are all enviable goals and I’m sure within reach, but with some discipline and dedication, all of your goals could be achieved.
Besides, why set yourself up for failure? According to a study held by the University of Scranton, only 8% of people actually keep a New Year’s Resolution. That is not a big number; I thought it would have been bigger. So it looks like failing is the norm and that is depressing.
Speaking of depressing, the first eight weeks of the new year get me very down. Well, “down” is a kind word; it’s more like a very dark time for me.
The only saving grace for me is, knowing the days are getting longer with daylight. It’s the same dilemma I’ve experienced since childhood.
I can’t wait until spring when pitchers and catchers report to camp to hear the sound of “play ball!”
Quote of the Week
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.” – T.S. Eliot
Thought of the Week
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws but for potential.” – Ellen Goodman
Bumper Sticker
“No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” – Buddha
