Friendship

I have noticed a funny thing in my life around the holidays. We always romanticize them as time spent with friends and family. In reality, we are rushing around a lot, going shopping at night instead of hanging out together, and seeing the parties as a burden sometimes. When do we actually get to have the times that we are preparing for?

I was feeling isolated and lonely until a few days ago when I started reconnecting with my friends - a cup of coffee with a friend when I played hookey from a church meeting, a spontaneous lunch date squeezed in between two things that were pressing, cups of tea at my neighbor's house , phone calls with a friend far away, and watching Christmas movies with my children. Wow - I feel so much better! The stuff will get done somehow and if it doesn't, will it make a difference? What we remember about the holidays are the spiritual meanings and the time spent with loved ones. What do you really want this holiday season?