The Spirit of Christmas Past

I am feeling unusually contemplative and reflective this Christmas season - thinking often of the people, places, things and events that I have been fortunate to enjoy in my 58 years; pondering the "what if's" we all ruminate about on occasion; and remembering all the Christmases that have made me smile (for it IS my favorite holiday - which is likely a surprise to those of you who know how I feel about my birthday!).  So...my blessings (some anyway) so far.  In no particular order.

I've seen sunsets and sunrises, lovely pale moons and stars and constellations (Cassiopeia being my favorite).  Snow-capped mountains, glacier fields, pristine beaches, fields of flowers, endless stretches of flat dry desert, cool damp caves.  And God finger-painting in the sky when I got to witness the Aurora Borealis in 1977.  Still one of the most breath-taking memories I will ever have.

My children - Taryn, Emily and Ian - who will always be my greatest accomplishment in this life and who have always made my heart sing. I've been lucky to experience so many important events in their lives - vacations, proms, graduations, a wedding, a birth, new jobs, new homes, happiness and heartbreaks - and am ever grateful to be able to continue spending time with them (and with Chelsea and Addison as well).

I've gotten to spend Christmas in Hawaii. I've observed and delighted in the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. I've kissed the Blarney Stone.  I've hiked Mt. Rainier.   I've had dinner at the Eiffel Tower and gazed at the love locks on the Pont D'Archeveche.  I've visited the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, Cooperstown and the Basketball Hall of  Fame.  I've gambled in Las Vegas. I've ridden the London Underground. I've been swimming in the beautiful waters of Florida, California, St. Thomas, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel. I've had drinks in rooftop bars in New York, Charleston, Nashville, Austin and Chicago.

I am and have been rich with family near and far (and some of whom are no longer with us) - Mom and Ken, Bruce, Bonnie, Dave, Chris, Gubby, Aunt Barbara, Lisa, Bud, Mike, Aunt Pat, Fred, Susan, Andrew, Tree, Aunt Mary, Kelly, Laurie, Teddy, Pixie and  Rory.  Extended family of aunts and uncles and cousins and 2nd cousins and 3rd cousins and former in-laws and "added family" through marriages and births.

I've been (or am) a runner; a tennis player; a racquetball player; a yoga devotee; a trapezer; a skier; a waterskier; a spinner; a Zumba dancer; an archer; a walker; a kickboxer; a barre practitioner; an ice skater; and a biker.  I've ridden dirt bikes, kayaked, hiked and roller bladed.  I've been remarkably injury free despite all this activity, my only major trauma a torn ACL more than 20 years ago.

I have loved deeply (and in some cases been loved back just as fiercely) by Tommy, Chris, Thomas, Steve, Joe, Tom, Rick, Tom and Warren.  Yes I agree - no more Toms!

I love my house, my bow, my dog, my Christmas ornaments, my magnets, my photos, my mother's watch, my Broncos, my Yankees, my boots, my fandom collections, my books, my dining room table, my music playlists, my old concert tickets and my passport.

Where would I be without my friends (past and present)?  Patti, Mary, Patty, Stephane, Tim, Peter, Jackie, Joe, Mary, Elisa, Laurie, Gary, Kent, Stephen, Ingrid, Pat, Scott, Vinnie, George, Joanne, Kevin, Jodi and Kathy.  Not to mention the many co-workers over the years who've been important to me - from Hess, from Getty, from Target, from BP.

I've survived 23 years of cancer treatments including: 11 surgeries, 6 radiation therapies (and...one to come next week on the 9th right rib); 6 different chemotherapies; 9 different medications; 4 oncologists (and yes, my current onc is my favorite); 3 times losing my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes; and my current load of about 13 bone tumors.  This is my past, my present AND my future.

Most importantly though, I have celebrated 58 Christmases and there is not one, NOT ONE, that hasn't been magical, joyful, wondrous, festive, merry, spiritual, delightful and loving.  Every year I see a giving spirit in the world.  Every year I find my blessings have multiplied. Every year my heart is full.

Blessings and Love to All.