Christmas

I know I have not been active at all on here lately. Too much going on. I love to write, but seldom really have the time.

Lessons are learned the hard way sometime. Christmas is a good example. We over-commercialize it. We stress out over it. We spend too much. We hate that others spent so much on us but did not necessarily get us what WE would have wanted. We worry if we got others what THEY would have wanted. We lose the real meaning in all of this.

This year was particularly hard in the Philosopher's home. The day I bought my first gift for my lovely Bride (of 20 + years) I learned that I was going to be laid off for at least six weeks. We were already tight.

Already, I could not get Philosopher, Jr., and my two unbeleivable daughters what I would like or what they would like.

Times are hard, money's tight.

However, maybe more than at any time in memory, I feel blessed. We had a wonderful Christmas. Our gifts, though in total costing far less money than usual, were all very nice. Both the ones I gave, and the ones I got. Maybe it is because of the love that is represented in those gifts.

I see Philospher. Jr. growing to be a mature, caring, thoughtful, wonderful, intelligent young man in whom I am very proud.

My girls are beautiful, loving, thoughtful, caring, thankful.

I love Mrs. Philosopher more than I ahve words to say.

Life is hard.

But

Life is good.

God refines us in the fire...

but

God loves us and provides all we need.

I have friends...family....church...freedom....SALVATION.

Merry Christmas