Santa Baby......

Santa and Olivia 2015

Dear Santa,

Thanks so much for all of magic you add to this time of year.  You are one very special guy.  This year, I thought I’d send you a long list; there are plenty of options here!  My thinking is of the “if you shoot for moon and miss, you still may be among the stars.” genus.

Emily’s List:

1.  No cellulite or thigh wrinkles.  Eternal tautness in the region between my ankles and hips.  Thanks that would be greeeeat.

    

2.    Heal Blake.  Help me understand what he needs and figure out what to give him to help him get those needs met.

    

3.  Removal of all worry.  Help me to grow the Zen that takes residence in my heart in the most sacred and surprising of moments to fill me up and push the worries out of me so that there is no room for them.

    

4. Perfect confidence.  Not too much, not too little.  The right amount so that I don’t pass on my insecurities to my daughter and not so much that I start to think I’m more than just a wonderful but small part of God’s plan.

    

5. Big love. For my family, my patient and wonderful spouse, my kids, people in the community and abroad.

    

6. Stop all terrorism.  No bombs, no attacks, no rhetoric.  Just white this out with a marker or scrub it with one of those Mr. Clean sponges.  Remove it from our world in a way that keeps it from coming back.

    

1. Yes, I realize how shallow I am that this is not #1.  Sorry, I’m going with the Kerouac, spontaneous prose approach.  Just keepin’ it real over here.  Oh man I am lame.

    

7.  Stop all human trafficking.  Stop the people buying these victims, stop the people working to keep it going, and help to heal the victims of this plague. 

1.   Insert repeat of shame from 6.1 here….

    

8. Eliminate cancer.  I can accept that in some lives, cancer has been used for good, however, I’m feeling like a gambler, and love to see what a world without cancer would be like.

    

9. Improved food supply and food for the hungry.  Help us to create a system where the excess is shared in a more efficient way with those that are without food and basic human needs.

    

10.  The ability to fly

     

11.  20 or so laughing fits (the kind where you cry a little and are completely overwhelmed by humor).

     

12. Comfy slippers (gotta throw some softballs in here to give the big guy in red and those trusty elves some relief) 

     

13.   Magic glasses.  The kind where you put them on and see the magic in people instead of your own reflection or impression of them.

     

14. The ability to eat chocolate and cheese and drink red wine and only get the good benefits from it, not the bad ones (thighs, hangovers, etc.).

     

 Thanks again for all you do Santa.  I’m not sure if you’re the same Santa that was in residence back in the 80’s but if you are, you did such a great job listening intently to our lists and giving us GREAT presents.  I hope you know how loved you are (by me especially) and that even if you’re unable to deliver on any of these items, I’ll still think you’re magnificent.

XOXX

Emily

Giving Thanks

I love Thanksgiving. I love the food. I love the idea that we are supposed to spend a day feeling thankful for all of our blessings. Unfortunately, I have had a few holiday mis-steps over the years. In light of these, I'd like to give some advice on for your consideration over the Thanksgiving holiday:

BAD IDEAS:
1. Spend the time with your family completely wrapped up in your own insecurities so that you have no ability to ask them how they are doing.

2. Over-indulge in spirits the night before Thanksgiving so that you feel completely terrible until about 5pm Thanksgiving day.

3. Do not help with the meal, the dishes, ANYTHING at all. Then complain about the food and the surroundings.

4. Talk about how you would be more thankful if you were at a better Thanksgiving celebration.

5. Disagree. With everything anyone says.

GOOD IDEAS:

1. Try and have at least 3 really good conversations throughout the day.

2. Help the hostess (if you are the hostess, help yourself and delegate!).

3. Think of one thing you like about each of the guests you're sharing your celebration with.

4. Consider where you've been in years past and ponder how you have grown or how your life has changed for the better over the past year.

5. Give hugs. Give smiles. Be charitable and kind.

I look back on so many of the family holidays we had when I was younger, and I regret not being totally "present" for them. My grandparents have passed on, and especially this year, I realize that as life goes on, the holidays - and who we celebrate them with - continue to change. I'm so thankful for the holidays I get to share now, but a part of me regrets not enjoying the holidays I got to spend with my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins to the fullest. Many of us are married, have children of our own, and are evolving into our own family traditions. A thought to remember - no matter who you spend your holiday with, you likely won't get to - or have to - celebrate with them forever. So try take time and be grateful for the time you have together - or, for the fact that it won't be forever!!