THIS YEAR'S BEST CHRISTMAS TREE EVER

Like many families who believe in Christmas 

either religious or spiritually

Deborah and I set out each year 

in search of our perfect tree.

And we usually find it right away…

with so many trees to choose this is a plus

Which always makes me wonder if we are choosing the tree 

or if the tree is choosing us?

Because when we stand it up…when we look it over

when around it’s trunk we roam

we smile simultaneously knowing…this one’s coming home

And when we add our ornaments 

with their corresponding memories

it transforms from just another Frasier Fir 

into our family Christmas tree.

Each ornament adds to the story of our life 

as we’ve watched our family grow

most are significant only to us 

and carry meanings only we would know. 

There’s an ornament for Whitman (what a great dog he was) 

and Ryan’s baby shoes

that old photo of Ali and me at the cabin, 

Bryan’s manatee and pickles for the grandchildren too.

And each year when we’re finished trimming 

Deborah marvels and always adds,

“I think this years Christmas tree 

is the best Christmas tree we’ve ever had!”

And that was true one year ago…

but with this tree I can avow

we’ve added another year of memories 

to place upon her boughs.

So as wonderful as last year’s tree was 

it’s the new memories we’ve amassed

that make this year’s Christmas tree the best tree…

and so much better than the last.

In that way our Christmas tree is a little like our life…

we fill it with memories of our joys, our laughters…our tears

And just like our life…our Christmas tree…

gets a little better every year.

I suppose that’s why when the right tree speaks to us…

both Deborah and I are glad

Knowing it will take its rightful place 

as the best Christmas tree we’ve ever had.

MORE LITTLE THINGS

I’ve said this over and over again because I believe it to be true

most of our enjoyment in life comes from the little things we do.

Little moments…little adventures…little wonders

that somehow find a way

to enter into our lives…and brighten up our day.

Like moments found by two thin blooded Floridians…both over 65 years old

on a recent camping trip together…when the weather outside turned cold.

They bundled up and took a boat ride…

they listened to what the captain had to teach

they saw a fort that was built but never used

and watched wild horses running on a beach.

They ate the best clam chowder and crab cakes

they had ever been served

and they handed the waitress who served them

a tip she so rightly deserved.

They stood on the edge of the Atlantic ocean

while a flock of birds circled overhead

they tried the Pirate punch in the oldest bar in Florida

and watched as their cheeks turned red.

They watched three sunrises and sunsets

They saw a family of dolphins perform…

they found when you hold hands even if it’s freezing outside

inside you feel warm.

These little moments…little adventures…little wonders

somehow found a way

to enter into their lives…and brighten up their day. 

Thus proving once again what I’ve always believed to be true

most of our enjoyment in life…comes from the little things we do.

American Beach

We decided to visit the largest sand dune in Florida 

it was well within our reach

just a few miles drive from where we were camping

at a place called American Beach.

And we saw the largest sand dune in Florida 

which of course is what we went there for

but in visiting American Beach

we got the sand dune…and so much more.

There was a time, a sad time in our history

one part of some of our darkest days and nights

When African Americans were allowed to swim in the ocean…

just not allowed to swim there with the whites.

Abraham Lincoln Lewis wanted his employees to have a beach 

so American Beach was created

giving African Americans a place to swim

all-be-it to swim segregated.

For many years American Beach thrived

until segregated beaches were needed no more

when the Civil rights act was finally passed…back n 1964.

The sand dune is all that’s left of American Beach

that and a few trees and grasses swaying in the breeze

but also posted at the site are some photos

of children, of churches and families.

When you see these pictures…when you look at the dune

and think of where all these African Americans sat

you think to yourself…children and churches and families

it doesn’t get any more American than that!

And you wonder as you see these segregated African American families

In frame after frame after frame

If there will come a time in this country

where all people see all people the same.

So as we stood near the largest sand dune in Florida

and were reminded of the wickedness of Jim Crow..

we prayed we never make the same mistakes again

that we made only a short time ago.

JUDY AND JOHN

We were waiting to board a boat when I happened to be blessed

to come across a bench close by the ocean…

this bench was facing west.

With an inscription from a husband to his wife…

now obviously gone

It read ‘Judy, in “All Ways” the love of my life…

the author’s name was John.

The second line which was written,

I imagine, with no regrets

went on to read

‘Remembering the Joys of Love & Great Sunsets’.

I never knew this couple 

either together or after Judy was gone

I never had the good fortune 

of knowing Judy and John.

And though I never knew them I could see them 

sitting there…holding hands

watching the sun set into the ocean…

as its shadow crossed the sand.

And though I never knew them…

I think its amazing how

from an inscription on a bench they shared…

I kind of know them now.

As I reread the message John left Judy

I felt happy and a little sad…

For though I never knew them…

I kind of wish I had.

A DIFFICULT DECISION

We were blessed to visit with our grandchildren 

and had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day

We ate, we laughed, we played a game

before they went on their way.

Two of our grandchildren are at the University of Florida

Three if you count Damiens girlfriend Trista (and we do)

and we make a point to visit them in Gainesville

whenever we’re passing through.

Yesterday we were on our way to Jacksonville

to camp at Amelia Island State Park

We were not in a big hurry  

but we wanted to arrive there before dark.

The road took us through Gainesville 

and it doesn’t take a whiz

tTo know that Gainesville, Florida

Is where the University of Florida is.

A perfect chance to see our grandchildren

And here again it doesn’t take a whiz

To know that Gainesville, Florida

is also where a Bojangles is.

We had a difficult decision 

I’m sure you would agree

Stop and see our grandchildren

Or have a biscuit and sweet tea.

Stop and say hi to our grandchildren

(at their various stages of growth)

Or stop and enjoy some Bojangles

We didn’t have time for both…

And since we love our grandchildren 

who are kind and compassionate…and grand…

We made that difficult decision….

and we’re sure they’ll understand.

BEYOND BELIEF

She crawled into her father’s lap...her lips were quivering...

there were teardrops in her eyes

“Some kids say they don’t believe in Santa...

they say it’s all a pack of lies.”

She looked at him with innocent eyes...

that snowy Christmas Eve...

and asked him quite directly...

“Daddy! What do you believe?”

“Oh, I believe in Santa.” he answered,

“As sure as I believe in you.

I believe in miracles and Karma

I believe fairy tales do come true.”

“I believe in love and friendship.

I believe in kindness and family.

I believe in God and fairies and angels

I believe in wonder and destiny.”

“I believe a higher power created the planets...

the stars, the sky, the sun.

I believe in the spirit of love

I believe there’s good in everyone.”

“I believe we should listen to the animals

I believe there’s magic in moonbeams

I believe that art is all around us

I believe in the beauty of our dreams...”

“As he looked down she was sleeping in his arms

which gave him some relief.

“And when I look at you.” he whispered...

I believe I’m blessed...beyond belief.”

TWO SIMPLE WORDS

When our family gets together, like most families I assume

There are two words when spoken that can light up any room.

Whether emanating from a chair, around a table or by the kitchen sink

these two simple words when paired together have more power than you think.

For these two word when spoken awaken a shared memory

and instantly remind us what it is to be a family.

These two words evoke our laughter, our wonderment…our tears

of moments we once shared together that have melted into years…

Allowing us to revisit together…a mutual memoir

to remember who we were back then…that made us who we are

Oh how we laugh or cry or smile…

when these two words are spoken every now and then

Oh how our memories are stirred 

and our hearts are filled

when we hear the words…

Remember when…