Christmas is the Season

With all of the talk lately about Christmas and the words we use, I thought I might take a minute to reflect too. You see, I have always said Merry Christmas. I have never wondered how that might sound to a non-Christian, because that is still the name of the day. I don't argue whether or not November 11 is Veteran's Day, or July 4th is Independence Day, so why should it matter whether you say Merry Christmas or not? I have made it a point to tell everyone I see and deal with this season Merry Christmas. And I have to say, I have received more "same to you."s then ever before. I am trying not to get offended, but quite frankly, I am!! If a jew were to walk up to me and say Happy Hannukah I would say Happy Hannukah back. It is on the calendar, after all! So if you see me near Easter, don't tell me anything other than Happy Easter, and if you see me near Halloween, don't tell me anything other than Happy Halloween. And I, well, I will do the same!

That said, in the spirit of this season.. I would like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, and I will follow that with a Happy New Year. Which brings something else up. This is also the time of year that people begin to reflect. The holidays signify the passing of another year, and we can't help but to reflect on where we have been over the past year and where we want to go next year. I, for one want to go on a cruise with my husband next year, but that is a whole nother topic entirely!

So, I began reflecting on my year. I think all in all my life has definitely headed in the right direction this year. I quit my teaching job to be at home. Shortly after that I found Melaleuca and was introduced to an entirely different way to earn extra income from home. Melaleuca's mission statement is, "Enhancing the lives of those we touch by helping people to reach their goals." I have really begun to reflect on that and tried to make it my own mission statement too. One of the places that it is most important to me to enhance lives is in my own family. Being at home helps me to do that. Earning money from home helps to do that too, by taking some of the pressure off of my husband. This year was the first year I was able to go on field trips with both of my children. What a joy that was, and such a blessing. My business is growing slowly, but I am ok with that because I have a firm foundation and experience growth almost every month. Helping others with this is also such a joy to me.

There is an area that I am not so proud of over the year, however. That is my relationship with my mom and my extended family. My mom in particular. You see, some people believe in intuition and some people do not. I call it God breezes (got that from flylady). I have always tried to listen to my gut. Well, over the past couple of years I have not done that with regards to my mom. You see, while her divorce was going on I would have tornado dreams every time something was up with her. I always knew before my dad told me that something was going on. Lately, over the last couple of months I have started to have them again. Often times followed by a nervous stomach the next day. Occasionally it has been so bad that I have called my mom to make sure everything was ok. She always tells me everything is fine, but I knew in my gut it wasn't. Well, now, over the last couple of days I have had this very pressing feeling that I should be in Utah for Christmas. Obviously it isn't practical for me to go up there, so here I am, still in Texas. However, today I am having an especially difficult time, I just have a feeling that something is wrong. I don't know what, but it is driving me crazy. Over the past few years things have been very strained between my mother and I and I am scared to death that I have missed the boat to make things right. I hope it is just the added tension because of all of the other things going on, and I am just ultra sensitive this year.

Anyway, it isnt' Christmas unless there is a crisis, a burnt turkey, forgotten gifts, or the police show up at your house (lucky for me, he lives here LOL!)... May yours be wonderful