Holidays

O.k. because there are STILL a few of you who check my blog even though I haven’t written for months, I’m trying again.

On Halloween day, my husband left the house to take the boys to school and said "I think I’ll be a Russian for Halloween." Allright, said I "I will be a person from the Middle East."

Now this is funny to no one else but one of the joys for us and those who have been married for 17 years. You see we have been nothing but a Russian and person from the Middle East for the last 15 Halloweens. My husband’s Dad loves to travel and tends to bring us back really cool hats. So, the furry, black Russian winter hat and eastern headdress are our favorites to show off.

Mother Teresa often said there is no great service only small acts of kindness done GREATLY. The longer I live and relish in the blessing of having family, I’m convinced that the smallest acts done well become the nourishment that binds.

May I encourage you to love your family and neighbors simply but well this Holiday Season? Commercialism and culture put enormous pressure to DO so much in the next 2 months that we often are the most harried and unattractive people on the planet. Traditions are wonderful building blocks for families. But, don’t think that one figures them all out overnight or in one year. When you have young children, know one or two simple crafts will suffice. There will not be time for a whole lot else. Kids 2 years and under usually end up playing with the wrapping paper and paper tubes more than anything. And most of them don’t like to be rushed. Forget the delayed gratification to get Grandma’s next present open. They will want to play with whatever they just opened NOW!

Soak in their simple ability to live in the present.

Kids are amazing gifts and life teachers. Take care of yours this Holy Season.

Hey, speaking of that creative husband of mine. Check out our new undertaking to help global poverty in small ways. www.causedepot.org Jim has been researching and working for months to put together a web based store that features products made from people enduring hardships around the world. We have products made from inner city homeboys, nuns and african artists. We pray that we can garner a bit of the vast American Consumer power to take the harshest edge off some people’s lives. It’s a little like Bono’s "Buy Red" campaign at Christmas.

Take care!

Comments

[Susan Trumpio]

Hey Pati! Good to see you back on the blog...and I'm just amazed at CauseDepot...what a tremendous idea!!! I already placed my first order and look forward to tasting those coffees...amazing stuff on the site...will be back to order more soon...keep the blogs coming, I've missed you...

[Sharon Davidson]

So glad you're blogging again. I've missed you. I also love CauseDepot.