Feeling Nostalgic Today

Feeling nostalgic today as I remember our favorite local grocery store from many moons ago. Mr. and Mrs. Merlin were wonderful proprietors of the store and though Jewish, always made sure to have special Christmas items on hand for shoppers. One thing I really loved about them was the fact that during the weeks leading up to Christmas, they'd have something very special in their produce section - bundles of fresh mistletoe! I loved going with my Mom to buy it each year and when we didn't get to go there, Daddy would always find some up high in a tree and shoot it down for us. Sweet memories!

I've been meaning to get out and hunt up some mistletoe to hang from my light fixtures this year but haven't gotten around to it yet, maybe I'll do that tomorrow. And that brings up another memory.

My Daddy was always bringing things home from work for us - just little things like pieces of penny candy or one of those little metal clickers, but one day he asked me a question. He said, "Bonnie, I've heard you say often that you'd do something when you got around to it." I had to agree with him, I'd said that many times during my growing up years (though I was only about 8 or 10 when we were having this conversation). Digging deep in his pants pocket, he pulled out something and told me to hold out my hand. Obediently, I stretched my hand toward him as he gingerly placed a round, wooden coin in my hand. He told me to look carefully at it and then, as I read the words burned into it, he began to laugh. Now Daddy didn't laugh often, but when he did, it was very memorable.

Holding his belly and smiling ear to ear he looked at me and said, "Now what does it say?" I read the words out loud - "It says round to it." "Exactly," he said. "And now that you have a round to it, you'd better get to it!" He could be so silly at times but I'll always remember that day shortly before Christmas.

Little things like those bring joy to my heart this time of year. I hope you have some special memories that prick yours as well.

We'll all be super busy tomorrow and on Christmas Day as we make last minute preparations and get ready for our favorite folks to arrive, I'd like to tell you I love you and I pray this Christmas will be more special than any others you've had in the past. Seek joy, love hard, and most of all relax and enjoy the day. Don't focus on what didn't get done. Don't focus on whether or not someone likes a gift you give. Don't stress about who did or didn't come. Just be. Be happy. Little things matter. Do your best to dig deep into your pockets and find them. Time is short.