I’m not ashamed to say Merry Christmas.  I don’t do “Happy Holidays” simply because I don’t like it and don’t want to.  I don’t mind if others use it and I don’t have a problem with others being upset with Merry Christmas.  It isn’t about them – it’s about ME and what I believe.  So there.  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU.

I got to thinking the other day and realized how precious it is that people can forge unbelievably strong friendships with people they’ve never met in real life – e-friends.  I have so many e-friends and am so grateful for each and every one of you.   You make my life a better place to be!  You are fireworks.

I heard a motivational speaker say one time – a person is only a true friend when they believe in what you do and support that.  They get behind it.  They encourage you.  They leave comments.  OK, maybe he didn’t say that last bit but the rest of it is so true.  I have in-real-life friends who don’t bother to read my blog, much less comment.  They know I write one but they don’t have time to read it.  So who is the true friend – the e-friend who supports or the IRL friends you’ve known forever but don’t bother to?

RIGHT.  The e-friends.  And I love you for that.  You are stars in my life.  Gifts to me.

The other thing I thought about is how blessed I am.  Not just in my e-friends, but my family.  God has been very good to me and I don’t take that for granted.  I have an amazing son (and his beautiful wife).  He continually surprises me with his heart.  He cares so deeply about some things – like standing up for the underdog or being totally bummed someone stole two blow up yard oraments from his yard.  It isn’t the money – it is the ulgies behind that act.  He may be a gruff, macho Alpha son, but his heart is pure.

This is the guy who quit his job so he could help his grandmom stay in her home when I couldn’t find anyone faithful to hire to do that.  He did everything for her but bathe her.  He spent a year and a half with her cooking, cleaning, taking her to hair appointments and out to eat.  They had an amazing relationship (as he did with his granddad) until the very end.

And Alpha Hubby.  What more can I say that I haven’t already said excessively?  After all these years, it just keeps getting better.  I don’t know how that works, but I’m darned glad that I’m living this life with him.  He is definitely getting NO coal under the tree this year!  He’s been a very nawty boy and I thank him for that!

Christmas means different things to people.  For me, it is about the birth of Jesus.  He is my Reason for this season.  I am not ashamed of Jesus and I think most of you know that.  Not everyone agrees with me and that is your choice.  I just want you to know I love you.  That is all.

From our home to yours, may you relax and enjoy this Christmas season.  May you NOT get so focused on this:

that you feel this:

Focus more on this:

and this:

and especially this:

And be sure you take time to tell those you love that you love them, very much.

Love very much from me: