New Year Resolution

It might be surprising to some, but I no longer make New Year's resolutions and haven't for some time. Instead, I just log what I do daily to try to make this world a little better place. I can't think of a better resolution than that.

This past year has proven to be an interesting one for me with the publication of two books, entries in two Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, and editing. As for next year, I anticipate some significant changes in 2020, some good and some challenging, but that is life. It's unknown, exciting, a bit fearful, all because nothing will ever be exactly the same and we can't predict the future. And maybe we really don't want to.

No matter what is on the horizon, I will gather with friends tonight on New Year's Eve (our annual tradition), and we will play cards and eat (hopefully most) of the remaining goodies left over from the Christmas season. I don't expect that particular tradition to change any time soon, but whatever does change, I know I have a fail-safe. If you are a person faith, you know to what and whom I refer.

To everyone reading this, I wish for you the best possible new year. Let's all try to make this world a better place―one day at a time regardless of whatever resolution you choose. 

Happy (2020) New Year!

My Ode to the Real Meaning of Christmas

Last year I wrote this poem for fun. It's not really what I do personally as those who know me realize I start buying gifts in July. I'm usually also finished around the first of December. But, in any case, enjoy and Merry Christmas!

‘Twas the Day Before Christmas

‘Twas the day before Christmas                                       I searched for some charities

No presents I’ve bought                                                     To give in their honor.

Where did the time go                                                         That’s the best gift of all

That I almost forgot?                                                           I began soon to ponder.

No wrapping or ribbons                                                      Now after the donations

Oh, what should I do?                                                          Were all given as gifts,         

My family expects something                                             I smiled as I realized

And it all must be new!                                                        The meaning of Christmas is this.

Away to my computer                                                         My family was thrilled

I flew like a flash                                                                   And the gifts were just right

For last minute gifts                                                             So I went to bed happy.

Please, system, don’t crash.                                             Merry Christmas to all and a

     peaceful good night!

I’ll order my gifts

And send e-cards their way.

I’ll have to pay extra

But that’s still okay.

Then as I sat there                                                   With apologies to Clement C. Moore

Ready to click enter,                                                           Vicki L. Julian

I paused for a moment

As I turned on my printer.

Are e-cards real gifts

To give from the heart,

Or just an obligation

That somehow did start?

So I reflected a minute

And thought what was right.

With so many in need,

I should be easing their plight.

My recipients don’t need gifts,

But there are others who do.

That should be my focus

And I hope my family’s too.

Almost Christmas

Last night I decided to drive downtown to see the Christmas lights. My city has done an outstanding job of decorating for the holidays and will leave most of the lights up until February 15. It's a matter of shining the way in the darkest time of the year.

I also thought about all the unfortunate individuals who will not experience the blessed Christmas that I will. My traditional, annual Christmas Eve open house will be attended by many family and friends, and then gifts will be exchanged. None of us need anything, and I always feel a little sad and guilty that I cannot share more with those who do have need, not that I don't try.

I also began to think more of those who have experienced loss of loved ones recently, or are having difficulty coping, even years later. I know I was still in shock the first Christmas after losing my husband. The second was even more difficult because I knew what was coming. My sons and I had to figure out how to do Christmas without the patriarch of our family. I knew we still needed to celebrate because Christmas is the beginning--if it hadn't been for the birth of Jesus, I would never again see my husband or other family members who have transitioned heavenly.  Now that is a gift.

May you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

Bittersweet

I love Christmas―decorating, buying gifts, seasonal scents, carols, baking special foods, and the generally happy attitude of most people. It can pretty much be summed up in Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." But it's also a little bittersweet for me...I miss my husband. While that's a daily sentiment, I particularly miss him at Christmas.

I begin decorating right after Halloween. The outside décor is completed on the first semi-warm day, but not turned on until closer to Thanksgiving. The inside of my home is fair game, but I still don't equal the eagerness of my daughter-in-law Erin. Her tree would be decorated in September, but my son won't let Trick-or-Treaters come to the door on Halloween and see a Christmas display.

Every year as I decorate my tree, I inspect each ornament and remember something about it. Those given to me by my husband are especially valued, like the gold plated, ornate ornament shaped as a Christmas tree. On one of his rare out of town business/training trips during a late summer decades ago, he found this special gift for me. A front, prominent location on the tree is always reserved to hang this keepsake. It's just one of such thoughtful ornaments Steve bought for me over the years. 

And, of course, I make a point of hanging those I bought for Steve, others that he especially loved, and even a few from our first Christmas together―mostly hand-painted wooden ornaments from a kit. They reside in the back of the tree now, but Steve always insisted there should be a few such mementos to display. 

There are also special ornaments purchased for my sons (yes, they have been offered to them for their own trees), or ones they gave to us when they were little. These are augmented now by some other cherished ornaments made or given to me by them and their wives.

I also have a set of six old world Santas that grace an end table. Steve saw these in a store and knew I had to have them as a pre-Christmas surprise. And then there are the stockings (too many for the mantle) so the rest are hung from a special stocking holder. 

My sons, daughters-in-law, and grandson's stockings take precedence over the fireplace; but mine, Steve's, our border collie/Springer spaniel mix pet (who has been gone for almost two decades and shared the name of a daughter-in-law), and my grandson's first Christmas stocking grace the bottom display along with two whimsical characters. Only the five above, and mine on the bottom, will be filled on Christmas Eve, but the others: Steve and Katie's (the dog), will always be remembered. There is, however, a chance that Maddox's second stocking may be filled too. It appears his grandma finds great pleasure in buying for him and can't seem to stop―one more tradition in the making! 

(Look for a photo soon to be uploaded on Facebook.)