And a Merry Christmas To All

Since there seems to be a meme going on, I thought I would participate in my usual way---meaning I'm the last one on the boat, and no one will really care about my presence so it was probably a big waste of time for me to try and catch it. Whatever.

In case you were wondering who the random boy was, know that is no boy. That is me. Circa age six or seven, so yes, that means mid-70's fashion hell. Fortunately, I've gotten past cringing everytime I see this picture and am finally able to take it for what it is: a kid sitting on a dodgy Mall Santa's lap. Boy haircut aside, I realize I was actually pretty cute. This was pre-nearsightedness, so no spectacles. That wouldn't last much longer, but it is nice to know there was a time when all I needed to see was my own set of eyes, because I sure as heck don't remember it. Note that I was behaving myself, too: my hands are folded, like a little lady---not that you could tell with the haircut---so I was apparently trying to get in good with the Big Man. But, Ai-yi-yi, are my teeth horrible or what? What a mess! Thank you, my parentals, for dumping what was probably thousands of dollars on my choppers and hundreds of hours spent in the car driving me to the orthodontist, the oral surgeon and the dentist. My teeth are now straight and I really do appreciate all that trouble you went to so I didn't have to live with that set of teeth for the rest of my life.

What's the point with all of this? Hell if I know. It's Christmas, Theo! It's a season of miracles! So be of good cheer and call me when you get to the seventh lock!

Erm.

Sorry to channel Hans. I can't quite help myself around this time of year. Anyway...

Posting will be incredibly light over the next couple of days. You might get something. You might not. Check in just in case I decide to post a huge treatise, but I'm probably going to be drugged by egg nog, so don't count on it.

I have stuff to do around here and I best be getting on with it. Have a fantastic holiday. Eat well. Converse much. Hug and kiss often. And yes, that directive does include the cousin who cleans all the good booze out of your liquor cabinet. Drink just enough to make yourself pliable to the delights of the season, but no more than your usual maximum or those reindeer thumps on the roof will wake you out of deep sleep and into a horrible hangover. For Christmas Eve specifically, to quote myself from last Christmas, here's my recommendation:

Make the time tonight, between glasses of wine and obnoxious relatives, to go outside. Enjoy the peace and quiet, albeit temporary. Enjoy the cold for a few minutes. Breathe deeply and, for a brief moment, enjoy the icicles forming in your lungs. Shiver copiously. And then look up at the night sky, and if Rudolph's honker isn't too distracting, gaze at the stars.

Then, think of a young couple who on this night, roughly two thousand years ago, gave everything over to their faith and a God who demanded difficult things of them to fulfill His will. Know that they submitted without hesitation. Think of the gift they gave us this night and know that they gazed at the same stars you're looking at.

And know that the world is a wondrous place.

Have a very Merry Christmas, my beloved Cake Eater Readers.

Update: Rob, we need to talk about trackback, darlin'. That way, when you post adorable pictures of yourself and your wife on your blog, I'll know about it toute suite!

Wow. Has Movable Type spoiled me, or what?

Posted by Kathy at December 24, 2004 11:38 AM