Favorite Annual Outing

This morning I had the chance to visit one of my favorite events of the year:  The Festival of Trees.  This year was the 40th anniversary of the fundraiser for Primary Children's Medical Center.  All the money they raise from this event--in the hundreds of thousands of dollars--is used to fund charitable medical services for children who otherwise could not afford the medical attention they need.  It is a wonderful cause.

My field trip today was shared with Dear Friend Micheale and her littlest buddy, Colby--who is 4.

Hundreds of trees are decorated--many in honor or memory of someone who was a patient at PMRC--and then sold to businesses or other groups, families, or organizations who receive the decorated trees as soon as the event is over.   These trees are varied and unique.  They are all sizes and all themes.  Some are poignant and others are funny.  You imagine it, you'll find it in a tree form.

I love going up to see these trees.  I like to photograph ornaments or pieces of the trees and then use those pictures to make Christmas notecards.  I have been going for several years.  It never gets old.

The Festival always runs the very first few days of December.  It is held in the SouthTowne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.  If you ever get a chance to go visit, I suggest you go...and bring some tissues. 

And For Our Jewish Friends...

At least, for those with a sense of humor...tonight is the first night of Chanukah.  What better way to commenorat eit then with a Neil Diamond "video" covering an Adam Sandler tune.  Oi vey.

Holiday Tunes

Since it is now, officially, in my opinion, Christmas season, Christmas music is now allowed.  Not that any of you needed my permission, I am sure.  But in light of the onset  of the holiday season, I am beginning to see that the realm of holiday music could use some help.

Directly, I am thinking that--now, remember that it is only December 1st today--I believe I have already heard some Christmas songs too often.  So, I am starting a list of Christmas songs that need to be retired.

Please feel free to add you're own nominations.

My top five WORST Christmas songs include:
1) Christmas Shoes (recorded by absolutely anyone...)
2) Santa Baby (Madonna's version may be the most popular, but they are all bad.)
3) Do They Know It's Christmas? (Collective western pop singers singing about an African drought...nothing says 'Holiday' quite like that.)
4) Santa Claus is Coming to Town (At least, Bruce Springsteen's version...yikes!  My ears are bleeding.)
5) Did I mention, Christmas Shoes? It is SO bad that it deserves two spots.

Seasonal Transitions

As much as I enjoy Christmas time, I am more than a little irritated that the moment Halloween is over some of the local radio stations begin playing Christmas music.  What is wrong with celebrating Thanksgiving?  IS it too much to ask our retail friends to hold off the Christmas displays until we can pause a moment and just be grateful?

I guess Thanksgiving just doesn't make enough money, so there is no retail reason to celebrate it.  Even the grocery stores hesitate only a second before the turkeys, stuffing and pumpkin pies are discounted and the aisles are full of green and red packaged treats.

Too bad, really.  I think as a nation we could do a lot better if we were more aware of how much we have to be grateful for.  I appreciate that for our family each November.  Then, I must get the "bah, humbug" feeling as I realize that our family is quite blessed, and therefore we should just rein in all the excessive, frivolous gift getting.

Yes, Virgina, apparently I am the family Scrooge.

I do enjoy the giving part of Christmas, very much, so it is not a complete Scrooge-ification.  I just think we don't need any of the things that come with Christmas.  I think the kids don't appreciate all they already have, so why load on any more? I just wish we could instead channel that 'buying' energy into the feeling of Christmas, and that must be shared to be felt at all.

While I ponder this inevitable quandary, enjoy the final day of our Gratitude month--knowing full well you each are appreciated by me.  I have the dearest friends, and I am grateful for the examples you show and the lessons you give me year round!

Realization and Gratitude

Since my accident last Wednesday, I have been thinking a lot of the way things were handled immediately following that momentary bad decision.  I feel like I have been humbled and taught something far more important than just recognition for the safe keeping God gives me each day.

I watched a woman show me kindness, forgiveness and generosity.  She could have easily, and quite understandably, been bitter, hateful and vengeful.  She, instead, showed me just what a faithful Christian should have.  I am humbled to think that I might have acted very differently if the shoe was on the opposite foot.  And I am ashamed of that realization.

I am anxious to deserve that kind of Christ-like treatment and, in turn, want to treat others the same way.  I hope that I can practice what I watched her do and follow her model in my dealings with PTA volunteers, tired and worn-out parents, underpaid and still excelling teachers, moody teenagers and sometimes spastic little children, and, perhaps--most importantly--with my own family and loved ones.  I have much to learn.

And with all this thinking, I've resolved that I am even more grateful for the process of repentance that helps me figure out how to improve and follow my Savior's example--and the examples of those who follow Him.  I know I have much to learn.

PS--Just see if you don't agree that she handled this whole interfering, inconvenient and irritating event with kindness and grace.  Here is her take on the accident: 
http://hurstfamily88.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-first-car-accident.html

Video Sunday

In case you were wondering:  I'm trying to look on the bright side of what I found when I woke up this morning.