Holidays

As I was setting my table on Thanksgiving, I performed a familiar ritual. I released my “good China” from its lofty hiding place in the kitchen, along with the captive silverware in its sturdy wooden chest. It occurred to me that these plates…

The holiday season is one full of emotions: joy, laughter, and love, but also stress, grief, loneliness, and busyness. It’s a time of celebrations and events where sweet goodies abound. It’s a season of baking and cooking all of the treasured family…

In southern Provence, especially this time of year, you might run across these itsy-bitsy figurines, and you might not know what they are. Upon questioning the store/market owner, you are told they are Santons. Well, you still don’t know what they are…

Actually, that’s not quite true. I dislike almost all presents, whatever the time of year. I don’t much like giving them, and I certainly don’t like getting them. It has been ever thus. It is wonderful to give presents to children. You generally know from their parents…

How many times a day do you give gratitude for your gifts, for your family and for the blessings of your life? I’ll admit it. Some days I forget to make my gratitude intentional, and then when I realize I haven’t done so, I understand why my day is off balance…

We’ve now entered the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or the New Year, you’ll likely celebrate with all kinds of delicious food. Maybe some of these foods you only prepare during the holidays…

As the holiday season approaches, I often think about those who are Suddenly Single – and have recently experienced life-altering events such as divorce, widowhood, or separation. Especially during the holidays, overwhelming feelings…

Somehow the month of May instantly became November, and it’s time to prepare for the holidays. I’ve followed the regular rituals of the season for several decades, but this year I intend to change the frantic schedule and reduce or eliminate…

Let’s face it. The older someone gets, the harder it is to buy holiday gifts for him or her. How many sweaters and ties do you need after all? My wife and I stopped exchanging gifts because frankly, we get what we need all year round!

The holiday season is upon us. Of course, thoughts go to food, gatherings with family and friends, giving, and gratitude. But it is also a time when we share stories – holiday stories, family stories, and just plain good stories. However, we often share…