What a wonderful thing to have done! That sounds a perfect way to spend Saturday. I always used to dread Christmas as I knew that I simply couldn't get drunk then. But, hopefully, this will be my second sober Christmas and I am looking forward to it so much.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Great work Barb. The beautiful things that seem sometimes a chore when you want to get to a drink can often be greater appreciated without it. Christmas season without hot Toddies is really even better isn't it Carol, Robert, Phil, et al? I really had to toss that one around in my mind before I printed it as it used to be so much a part of the season. Mince pie and vanilla? Sounds good to me! And the THOUGHT of melted cheese just shot my cholesterol up 10 pts!!! Have a wonderful Sunday all...Tim
-- Edited by timverton at 12:06, 2006-12-03
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"We posess the eyes through which the universe gazes with wonder upon its own majesty."
Plum pudding and hard sauce for me. My Christmases are much more spiritual now. I am a Christian and appreciate the great merciful love that God has for us in sending the Second Person of the Trinity to us, as one of us, human and born humbly, to model for us how to live, and to die for us to open heaven to us, working all things for ultimate good. My son is grown and I don't do the tree any more. I do put out the Nativity scene,, and march the Wise Men a little closer each day, and Christmas night I put the child in the manger.
God bless you all, as in this is our hope and salvation,
(PS... This in no way disrespects people of other beliefs,, Muslims, Jews, atheists, Buddhists, etc. It simply describes my own understanding of God at this time of my life. Sharing my experience, strength and hope.)
amanda
-- Edited by amanda2u2 at 14:02, 2006-12-03
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
I love how this time of year people open up, they smile in the stores at eachother (well, unless it's at a sale); it feels so good. I feel it's so important to honor others' beliefs during these Holy Days. My sister is the wife of a minister down in Oregon, they have a very large church and I see so much of the Spirit in she and her husband--the way they live their lives, the way they love others. Loving others, seeing the uniqueness in them, sharing the similarities with them--that's what it's all about for me. I know I'm "off the beaten path" with my belief system, but I think my middle son said it best (he's also a budding minister, trying to incorporate classes and work). His belief in Christ is what has kept him clean for over two years now, along with the program. But he told me one day when I was teasing him about him waving down to me--"mom, God isn't going to ask us what we called ourselves while on earth. He's going to ask us how we treated others". Coming from a young man who was shot during a drug deal, and came into treatment a bag of bones, it was such a profound statement for me to hear. How can I not honor a God who has touched my son's life so dramatically? Or His Son, who, in my eyes, the belief of has saved this child's life so often? I love our Creator by whatever name or way He manifests him/herself to others. How could I not? Ok, I'll stop, getting all emotional here. But bottom line here is, for me, shame on me and me only if I find myself being critical of anyone's beliefs or choice of their Higher Power. Yes, I need to hear others share their ESH in whatever way they express it, and slap me if I do get "offended", because that means I have a problem. Which means it's my problem, not anyone elses. If I'm getting all defensive, that means I best take a look at why I feel the need to defend myself, eh?
The only reason we aren't having a tree this year (but that may change) is because of this nine month old kitten we have. She's terrorized my lighters, my pens, cellophane, anything that sparkles. I can't imagine what she'd do to a tree, unless I hang it from the ceiling. I, too, love that smell, and we get live trees so that I can plant them after. I love sitting at night and watching the lights twinkle in the dark while I think about the day. Maybe next year she won't be such a h**cat...
I have never had plum pudding, but I would love to make it. Any good recipes out there? Love Chris
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"Never argue with an idiot... They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience..."
Same here! Actually it was the first time I did most of the work, and not getting frustrated and tired! My marriage is really bad, but my outlook on life and living has changed. I feel great regardless and don't need a drink to do basic chores anymore. When me and my wife fought (verbally) it was an automatic 2 beers to follow, then I'd wallow in my pity then try to reconsile to no avail!!!!
Now I just smile and say I understand, or I'm sorry I'll work on that, or I hear you, smile and continue. I seem to be doing the opposite of what I was doing, which is very weird.
