ARE YOU FULL OF IT?

I know I am; yup I am filled with it. Christmas spirit that is.
Filled with the love I have for God, family, and country. I am not ashamed to admit it is in that order also.
So what about you? Are you full of it?
Are you filled with the desire to do the right thing? Did you let the other folks have that parking spot at Wally world just in case they needed it more than you? Did you reach over and hand that stranger in line a coin or two to help make up the difference? Did you smile and thank that cashier for working so late, just in case someone needed a last minute something? Did you call that old buddy and check in?
Maybe you did something far more selfless, maybe even approaching sainthood. I don't know, but I'll bet you did something. Now the next question.
If you are full of it, what are you going to do with it tomorrow? Discard it once you've used it up? Put it away carefully for use next Christmas season?
Not me.
I'm gonna carry it around like the carefully guarded smoldering coal that traveled with my ancestors from camp to camp. Ready to bring it out and start a blaze of warmth and comfort, whenever it is needed just like they did. Now, sure they carried that smoldering jewel around to survive, but shouldn't we do the same? The Comfort and joy of Christmas spreads across all nations, governments,and languages. Why not carry it about all year long! We could propagate a world wide love of mankind. Is that not also key to our survival?
The birthday we celebrate on Christmas was not a single event, but the beginning of a journey that changed the world.
In other words, Christmas is 365 days a year!
This one is for you Mom, my thanks for teaching me all that you did.
You may never read this, but hopefully someone will.
Peace to you all, please remember who we are and why there are so many willing to give their lives to preserve it. I pray that every one of you is home next Christmas.
Do the right thing tomorrow folks, just do it for someone else.

The perfect cure.

Being it is the holiday season, I have been coming across assorted remembrances of the famous furry trio known as The Chipmunks. In their day, they probably sold more albums than that other made-for TV band, The Monkees. Now they seem to pop up on numerous blogs. Shoot, even Gryphen wax's nostalgic over the annoying mini-mammals. Perhaps Elwood summed it up best, so check out his spin on the chalkboard scraping super group.
As for me? Well, many, many years ago in an effort to earn desperately needed cash I worked at a Santa's Village tourist trap back east.
For three years every Sat& Sun between Sept and Jan I worked for 9-10 hours a day.
The owner had only two Christmas albums in stock. A fifties rock collection and the Chipmunks. These were played in a continuous loop over the entire compound, imagine how challenging that was in the the days of vinyl.
It was not a bad gig, I met a lot of people, learned some skills, and got to play with many exotic animals. It was also where I got to meet my first Kodiak bear. His name was Billy and he was far from home.
The bad side is that 30 years later I would still flinch whenever I heard those warbling soprano's start up.
Now, what cured me of Eutamiasphobia?
I got to spend a large part of this summer with one of my granddaughters. When ever the Kodiak summer turned wet and wild we settled in with her small but well used favorite movie collection.
To my chagrin I discovered the chipmunk movie in the back of the pile.
It had been placed in the back by her mother, in hopes that it would not surface to often. Better to watch Monsters Inc. repetitively than one more run through those furry little sadistic singers.
Once Flower saw that DVD, the Chipmunk chant began. Gritting my teeth I placed it in the player. After all, how can you say no to a child as bright as any summer day? A child whose smile and scream of Pappy!, as I came through the door, would push all the dark and weary parts of my day away and replace them with light and joy.
Gritting my teeth, I placed the DVD in and sat back, secretly hoping that some defect would prevent it from playing. No such luck.
But luck has a funny way of turning out doesn't it?
Watching the movie was relatively painless. Watching Flower, watch the movie was priceless. Listening to her sing, quietly, along overcame years of self induced bias.
How do I know I am cured?
Last weekend I was part of the Santa drive-by out here in Flatville. As we cranked out the kiddy tunes over the P.A. there came up the inevitable "Christmas Time", by the trio.
Watching the joy of those kids as Santa stepped off the firetruck, and Alvin and the gang warbled, I did not flinch. In fact I smiled.
Thank you Flower. Thank you Alvin, Theodore, & Simon. You have taught this old Flatratter that the circle is truly round.
Peace ya'll

365 vs 24/7

Merry Christmas ya'll.
Tonight, as we wrap up the final preparations for Christmas day, I am reminded of my mothers annual refrain.
Christmas is 365 days a year.
Every year I listened to that response, whenever I queried her for hints as to what I could give her. Now, I understand what she meant.
Folks, Christmas really should be 365 days a year. Not the gift giving, but the very spirit that fills the majority of us all tonight.
Think about it. When you were standing in line today, or waiting for that cherished parking spot, did you step back and relinquish your right, to a person you felt needed it more? Did you help that elderly person with their bags? Smile and talk to child you did not even know? Are you filled with a sense of benevolence that you cannot explain, but must act on? If nothing along those lines entered into your life in the past week, then stop reading right now and do some serious soul searching.
In today's society we are inundated with promises and quips of 24/7. That is not a realistic goal for the Christmas spirit, but 365 days is.
What if every one of us, once a day acted in a Christmas like manner? What if you avoided using the empty row of handicapped parking, even though it was only going to take a minute. What if you talked to that friend, just because, no holiday guilt involved? What if you simply understood, that the actions of that person,(that you don't know), might have reasons behind it that you are not aware of. In realizing that you act in forgiveness, rather than anger?
History has shown over and over again, amazing acts of peace and understanding on this night and tomorrow. Let that be our proof. Love and understanding not only work, it is in our very nature to seek. We find as much comfort in comforting as being comforted.
God so loved us he gave us his only son.
Tomorrow we shall celebrate the birth of a man. A man who is recognized by every major religion, discussed by theologians of every creed. A man who changed the world by teaching forgiveness and love.
Thank you Mom, you taught me many things. Most of all you taught me this,
Christmas is 365 days a year.
Do the right thing ya'll, just not for yourself.
Peace
Griff