It's almost that time

Happy Friday, everyone!  And not only is the weekend upon us, but Christmas is now less than a week away!  Are you ready? Have you shopped for those you love, hoping to find the perfect gift?

I am receiving a grand present again this year, as I will be off work from Christmas Eve until January 5.  I have no concrete plans other than to have fun, enjoy my family, and not travel for work!  I think I've earned it!

I don't know about any of you who's stopped by to read today's comments, but I think we're actually doing a little more for Christmas than we sometimes do.  I keep telling my wife that when I finally retire from full-time work (whenever that will actually be) that we'll need to scale back a little at Christmas.  That's true, but for now, it's less of a concern.  So we're being as generous as our means allow in advance of that adjustment.

And for those who've raised kids, as my wife and I have, the old adage remains true, that kids are harder to shop for as they get older, and like more things like clothes and are more concerned about their appearance and so forth.  But it's just so much fun!

We've had a kind of interesting year at our house.  Had to replace a hot water heater and then a couple of months later had to purchase a furnace.  We decided to lease a car for my wife and give her vintage Honda Accord to our son, since they're going to need at least one more car in the near future.  But we've managed all of that without much difficulty, so grateful for that!

We are also old-fashioned enough that we still send out Christmas cards.  Our recipient list has shrunk dramatically from when we married off our daughter and then our son to now a list that totals right at thirty people.  We have received only a few cards in return, as so many people keep up with each other via social media of various kinds.  

And I write a Christmas letter to go into the cards.  A few years ago we decided to forego that tradition, only to receive some pleas from numerous recipients saying they looked forward to the updates in that letter, particularly after our kids started having kids of their own.  This year's letter was very newsy, covered the front and back of a page and conveyed the year's events and accomplishments.  Less about us or our kids and their spouses than our five grandchildren, naturally!

2025 has been quite a year, and while my family and I are all healthy and well, not everyone is so fortunate.  Our country has been damaged significantly over the past eleven months, and I know that most of us are hopeful that that damage is not irreparable.  I know that I am.

There are glimmers of hope that things are improving and can continue to do so.  I try to look for the good that I see and to be a part of those doing good things for others wherever possible.

So let me wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and peace and prosperity all through the year!

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