Next week, I'll celebrate my 38th Christmas.
Looking back, I have nothing close to 38 memories of individual holiday seasons. While I have a few specific memories of Christmases past, most of what I have is but a handful of fuzzy Christmas memories — images, emotions and sentiments, most of which can be attributed over a period of years. It certainly doesn't seem like I've been around for almost 40 Christmas celebrations.
When I set about the task of remembering Christmases past, all I can do is think of the different physical places I've been for Christmas, and recall the emotions associated with each.
My earliest Christmas memories are from the house we lived in until I was about 3, located in a neighborhood called "Fair Oaks" in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My memories of Fair Oaks Christmases are pretty vague. But I do remember the year my older sister, Aimee, and I agreed to tell what we had gotten each other for Christmas. When Aimee told me I was getting a Winnie the Pooh, I was sure it was a ruse; so I was still surprised when I opened her gift on Christmas Eve. Pooh remained one of my favorite possessions for years afterward.
Most of my childhood memories of Christmas, though, are associated with our house on Maple Drive, where I lived until college. It was there that my parents would annually haul the giant box of Christmas decorations out of the attic every year, where we would hang our red stockings on the wood-burning fireplace, and where the live Christmas tree would fill the home with a pine-scented aroma throughout the holiday season. From our upstairs bedroom windows, Aimee and I would keep watch for Santa's sleigh — and it was never hard to convince ourselves that the blinking red light atop a radio tower in the distance was Rudolph's shiny red nose.
The constant transition period of my college years leaves me without as many specific Christmas memories. I do remember the tiny Christmas tree my parents got me for my dorm room, though I never actually spent a Christmas Day on campus. It was during this period that my parents moved from the home on Maple Drive, to a new house in the bedroom community of Fairfax. I don't remember much about the early years of our Fairfax Christmases — most of what I remember about holiday celebrations at that home are the family gatherings of recent years, which now include my own children and their cousins.
My first Christmas season on my own was spent in my tiny loft apartment in a little town in Missouri called Mexico. My dorm-room Christmas tree came with me, and I purchased shiny static-cling decorations to put on my windows. They were cheesy and cheap, but they were the first Christmas decorations I purchased on my own. I think they're still in a box in my attic somewhere. Those were some lonely days — living in a new town, miles from loved ones.
My wife, Jena, and I had our first Christmas together in another apartment in Mexico — this one a little bigger, with two bedrooms and even a kitchen that was separate from the living room. This is when we finally retired the dorm-room tree, and got a full-sized model. We actually purchased a house in December of that year, so our tree — still partially decorated — was one of the first things we moved to our new house.
Our first Christmas in Blytheville was spent living with Jena's parents, as we had just moved to the community, and had yet to purchase a house. All the same, we still put up our own Christmas tree in our bedroom. This was my daughter Katie's first Christmas, and our tree that year included a special ornament noting "Baby's First Christmas."
And that brings us to our current residence, where we have celebrated every Christmas since. We now have two Christmas trees, one which now features a pair of "baby's first Christmas" ornaments, as well as many other family keepsakes new and old. The other tree is an Iowa Hawkeye-themed Christmas tree (because you always have to remember where you came from).
When Katie and little brother Drew look back on the Christmases of their lives, it will be this home that they remember. Like me, they probably won't remember but a handful of specifics; but I hope the overall memories that have are good ones.
That's what this season is all about.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The perfect gift for the holiday season
If you're still looking for the perfect Christmas gift to give this season, I have a pretty good suggestion for you.
It's guaranteed to be something that's needed. It's certain to be put to good use by the recipient. And best of all — it won't even cost you a thing.
I'm speaking of giving blood.
It's never not a good time to donate blood, but during this Christmas season, when we're so often caught up in the material aspects of the holiday — from the shopping, to the decorating, to the gathering — it's important to remember there are things more important than the hustle and bustle.
There are many people who go without during the holidays. Not only are some people going without gifts or feasts, some are struggling just to live. And that's why heading over to the local Lifeblood Center, rolling up your sleeve and donating a pint of blood can be the ultimate Christmas gift.
I gave blood for just the third time in my life just a couple of weeks ago. It was a rewarding experience. Honestly, I'm ashamed I haven't done it more.
Back in my college days, whenever there was a blood drive, I used to make all kinds of excuses to not take part. I'd make up an illness, or I'd just be "too busy." The truth is, I was just a coward. I had talked myself into an irrational fear of needles, and I was too childish to get over it.
That said, by the time I finally got around to becoming a blood donor — sometime in my mid-20s — it wasn't a pleasant experience. Things started off just fine. Though I agonized over the needle, that part actually went well. It was just a few minutes later — when the room started to spin — that I got worried. Thankfully, the nice ladies on hand reclined my chair and gave me some orange juice, and things returned to normal.
All the same, it was some years later before I worked up the nerve to try it again. This time it was during a Chamber of Commerce blood drive just a few years ago. It went just fine. Minimal pain ... no room spinning ... a free soda ... who could ask for more? Why I didn't become a regular donor at that point is a good question. "Lazy" is most likely the answer.
But a few weeks ago, I found myself with little to do on a Saturday morning, so I figured it was finally time to do what I'd been saying I should do for ages, and donate a pint of blood. Sitting in the local Lifeblood Center, I was in awe of the posters on the wall showing local people who have donated regularly over the years. Like Bernard Beecy, who has donated 18 gallons. Or Iris Crawford, who has donated 15 gallons. Giving blood at every opportunity, it takes over a year to just reach the 1-gallon milestone. Seeing what these people have done made my little pint seem pitiful.
But at least it was something. And though it was but a small first step, it felt really good to do it. And the room didn't even spin at all.
The great thing about donating blood is that almost anyone can do it. You don't have to be rich. You don't have to have a ton of time on your hands. All it takes is an hour or so at the local center. The Blytheville Lifeblood Center, located in the Plaza Shopping Center, is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursdays, and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. If I can do it, anyone can.
Giving the gift of blood, you won't ever know who received your gift. You won't see a smile of joy as somebody unwraps it. But you will help save a life. And I can't think of a better gift to give than that.
It's guaranteed to be something that's needed. It's certain to be put to good use by the recipient. And best of all — it won't even cost you a thing.
I'm speaking of giving blood.
It's never not a good time to donate blood, but during this Christmas season, when we're so often caught up in the material aspects of the holiday — from the shopping, to the decorating, to the gathering — it's important to remember there are things more important than the hustle and bustle.
There are many people who go without during the holidays. Not only are some people going without gifts or feasts, some are struggling just to live. And that's why heading over to the local Lifeblood Center, rolling up your sleeve and donating a pint of blood can be the ultimate Christmas gift.
I gave blood for just the third time in my life just a couple of weeks ago. It was a rewarding experience. Honestly, I'm ashamed I haven't done it more.
Back in my college days, whenever there was a blood drive, I used to make all kinds of excuses to not take part. I'd make up an illness, or I'd just be "too busy." The truth is, I was just a coward. I had talked myself into an irrational fear of needles, and I was too childish to get over it.
That said, by the time I finally got around to becoming a blood donor — sometime in my mid-20s — it wasn't a pleasant experience. Things started off just fine. Though I agonized over the needle, that part actually went well. It was just a few minutes later — when the room started to spin — that I got worried. Thankfully, the nice ladies on hand reclined my chair and gave me some orange juice, and things returned to normal.
All the same, it was some years later before I worked up the nerve to try it again. This time it was during a Chamber of Commerce blood drive just a few years ago. It went just fine. Minimal pain ... no room spinning ... a free soda ... who could ask for more? Why I didn't become a regular donor at that point is a good question. "Lazy" is most likely the answer.
But a few weeks ago, I found myself with little to do on a Saturday morning, so I figured it was finally time to do what I'd been saying I should do for ages, and donate a pint of blood. Sitting in the local Lifeblood Center, I was in awe of the posters on the wall showing local people who have donated regularly over the years. Like Bernard Beecy, who has donated 18 gallons. Or Iris Crawford, who has donated 15 gallons. Giving blood at every opportunity, it takes over a year to just reach the 1-gallon milestone. Seeing what these people have done made my little pint seem pitiful.
But at least it was something. And though it was but a small first step, it felt really good to do it. And the room didn't even spin at all.
The great thing about donating blood is that almost anyone can do it. You don't have to be rich. You don't have to have a ton of time on your hands. All it takes is an hour or so at the local center. The Blytheville Lifeblood Center, located in the Plaza Shopping Center, is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursdays, and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. If I can do it, anyone can.
Giving the gift of blood, you won't ever know who received your gift. You won't see a smile of joy as somebody unwraps it. But you will help save a life. And I can't think of a better gift to give than that.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Being thankful for more than just things
As we prepare to give thanks this holiday, there are no doubt a number of things on our minds.
We’re sure to give thanks for the things we always do: Family. Friends. Our community. The good things in our lives. And well we should. You can’t put a price tag on good blessings, and it’s a shame we don’t have more than one day a year specifically set aside to give thanks for such things.
The focus of Thanksgiving is usually things — whether it's material things like a nice home or a Nintendo Wii; or more important things, like good friends and loved ones. But we ought to be thankful for more than that. For there is more to life than simply things. This Thanksgiving, I’m trying to take time to appreciate some of the unique abilities that we share as human beings.
For instance, I am thankful for the ability to love. Without this, our spouses wouldn’t matter. Neither would our kids, or our parents, or any of our family. We would have no friends — just a collection of recognizable faces. But because we have the ability to love, our lives can be enriched by special people all around us. I know mine is.
I am thankful for the ability to think. While all animals have brains, and thus have some ability to process information, none have the ability of rational thought that we humans do. It’s because we can think that we can determine right from wrong, and choose the path that will bring us the most safety, the most joy, or the most comfort. It’s because we can think that we aren’t all mindless zombies, ambling down an aimless path. I’m thankful for that.
I am thankful for the ability to learn. Because we can learn, our lot in life is never set in stone. Whether it’s the basics, like reading and writing; or occupational skills, like teaching or healing; or simply personal betterment, like singing or cooking; the ability to learn is what allows us to enhance our lives. It’s something to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the ability to see, hear, taste and smell. Imagine not being able to see a sunset, or hear for favorite song, or taste a dessert, or smell a campfire. How completely pointless life would be without these kind of abilities. I’m thankful to be able to do all four.
I am thankful for the ability to forgive. It’s not always easy to exercise this ability, but doing so is sometimes the only way to remain sane. Though the seduction of a grudge is powerful, forgiving is one of the most liberating things to be able to do. I regret that I’m not able to do it more often; but when I do, I’m thankful for it.
I am thankful for the ability to feel. Though I’d rather not ever feel sad or angry, I know that the only reason I ever feel that way sometimes is because other times, I’ve felt so happy or content. With feelings, you either take them all, or take none of them. And I think life is a lot better with he ability to feel.
I am thankful for the ability to have faith. While some people are more religious than others, I think even the most agnostic among us still believe in a better tomorrow. And that, to me, is what faith is all about. It’s about believing that no matter how things are today, there’s a chance tomorrow could be better. I’m glad I’m able to have faith in my life.
I am thankful for the ability to be thankful. That’s really what this is all about. Without the unique, innate set of abilities we all possess as humans, nothing else would really matter. It’s only because of these abilities that our life has meaning, depth and value.
And the great thing about all these abilities is that we’ll always have them, regardless of the fortunes or misfortunes of our lives. Some of us may have lost jobs in this past year. Some of us may have lost loved ones. Some of us may have been wronged in any number of ways.
But we can all still love. We can think, and learn. We can see, hear, taste and smell. We can feel. We can forgive. And we can all still hope.
And all that is something to be truly thankful for.
We’re sure to give thanks for the things we always do: Family. Friends. Our community. The good things in our lives. And well we should. You can’t put a price tag on good blessings, and it’s a shame we don’t have more than one day a year specifically set aside to give thanks for such things.
The focus of Thanksgiving is usually things — whether it's material things like a nice home or a Nintendo Wii; or more important things, like good friends and loved ones. But we ought to be thankful for more than that. For there is more to life than simply things. This Thanksgiving, I’m trying to take time to appreciate some of the unique abilities that we share as human beings.
For instance, I am thankful for the ability to love. Without this, our spouses wouldn’t matter. Neither would our kids, or our parents, or any of our family. We would have no friends — just a collection of recognizable faces. But because we have the ability to love, our lives can be enriched by special people all around us. I know mine is.
I am thankful for the ability to think. While all animals have brains, and thus have some ability to process information, none have the ability of rational thought that we humans do. It’s because we can think that we can determine right from wrong, and choose the path that will bring us the most safety, the most joy, or the most comfort. It’s because we can think that we aren’t all mindless zombies, ambling down an aimless path. I’m thankful for that.
I am thankful for the ability to learn. Because we can learn, our lot in life is never set in stone. Whether it’s the basics, like reading and writing; or occupational skills, like teaching or healing; or simply personal betterment, like singing or cooking; the ability to learn is what allows us to enhance our lives. It’s something to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the ability to see, hear, taste and smell. Imagine not being able to see a sunset, or hear for favorite song, or taste a dessert, or smell a campfire. How completely pointless life would be without these kind of abilities. I’m thankful to be able to do all four.
I am thankful for the ability to forgive. It’s not always easy to exercise this ability, but doing so is sometimes the only way to remain sane. Though the seduction of a grudge is powerful, forgiving is one of the most liberating things to be able to do. I regret that I’m not able to do it more often; but when I do, I’m thankful for it.
I am thankful for the ability to feel. Though I’d rather not ever feel sad or angry, I know that the only reason I ever feel that way sometimes is because other times, I’ve felt so happy or content. With feelings, you either take them all, or take none of them. And I think life is a lot better with he ability to feel.
I am thankful for the ability to have faith. While some people are more religious than others, I think even the most agnostic among us still believe in a better tomorrow. And that, to me, is what faith is all about. It’s about believing that no matter how things are today, there’s a chance tomorrow could be better. I’m glad I’m able to have faith in my life.
I am thankful for the ability to be thankful. That’s really what this is all about. Without the unique, innate set of abilities we all possess as humans, nothing else would really matter. It’s only because of these abilities that our life has meaning, depth and value.
And the great thing about all these abilities is that we’ll always have them, regardless of the fortunes or misfortunes of our lives. Some of us may have lost jobs in this past year. Some of us may have lost loved ones. Some of us may have been wronged in any number of ways.
But we can all still love. We can think, and learn. We can see, hear, taste and smell. We can feel. We can forgive. And we can all still hope.
And all that is something to be truly thankful for.
Friday, October 9, 2009
A good run is a way to get away from it all
In the last couple of years, I guess you could say I've become something of a "runner."
That is, to say, I've grown to have an affinity for getting out and putting my legs to good use from time to time.
I'm not a great runner, mind you. When compared to what I sometimes refer to as "real runners," I'm quite slow, and not able to go great distances.
But I've worked at it, and have reached the point where I can at least run a 5K without being embarrassed or wanting to die afterward.
I still remember the first time I gave running a shot, a couple of years ago. I had rather suddenly become keenly aware of my couch-potato status. It dawned on me that instead of aimlessly surfing through the channels, I could be doing something to make myself a little healthier. The first time I went out for a run, I got no more than about four houses up the street before I felt like I was on the verge of cardiac arrest.
Thankfully, my runs since then have gotten a little bit longer, and a lot more enjoyable. I've tried to think about what it is that make running rewarding. For one thing, there's the sense of accomplishment that comes with it, along with the good feeling that comes with being healthy. But more than that, I think I enjoy running because when you're out there on the road, many of the problems of the world disappear for a while, and all you're left with is your legs below you and the pavement in front of you.
For instance, here are some of the things you DON'T think about when on a nice long run:
— Iran's nuclear ambitions
— The latest figures related to the nation's jobless rate, retail sales growth or stock market performance
— The future of the Mississippi County hospital system
— National health care, Sen. Max Baucus or the public option
— The price of oil, and how it will effect gas prices
— Carol White and the Blytheville City Council
— Jon and Kate
— Where Osama bin Laden is
— The overall condition of local parks
— Glenn Beck
— Who David Letterman has had sex with
— The H1N1 virus
— The fate of Roman Polanski
— The cafeteria at Central Elementary School
— Anything having to do with the West Memphis 3
Conversely, here are some of the things you DO think about:
— Wind
— Rain
— Your legs
— Your knees
— Your feet
— Your heart
— Your lungs
— The pavement
— Goose poop (if running at Walker Park or the Youth Sportsplex).
— Sun
— Sweat
The point is, running cuts you down to the basics. It's a great way to escape the confines of reality, and to get healthy along the way.
Anyone looking to go running (or walking) with fellow citizens, ought to check out the 5K Family Fun Run and 2K Walk, set for 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The entry fee is only $20, and all participants get a t-shirt and a chili-tasting ticket that be used during the chili cookoff being held later that day. Registration can also be made online at www.racesonline.com through Oct. 13. Individuals can also enter on the day of the race (for $30) beginning at 6:30. Participants will meet on the parking lot of the Great River Medical Center.
Running, or even just walking, is a great way to get out, get healthy and get away from it all. Everyone ought to give it a try.
That is, to say, I've grown to have an affinity for getting out and putting my legs to good use from time to time.
I'm not a great runner, mind you. When compared to what I sometimes refer to as "real runners," I'm quite slow, and not able to go great distances.
But I've worked at it, and have reached the point where I can at least run a 5K without being embarrassed or wanting to die afterward.
I still remember the first time I gave running a shot, a couple of years ago. I had rather suddenly become keenly aware of my couch-potato status. It dawned on me that instead of aimlessly surfing through the channels, I could be doing something to make myself a little healthier. The first time I went out for a run, I got no more than about four houses up the street before I felt like I was on the verge of cardiac arrest.
Thankfully, my runs since then have gotten a little bit longer, and a lot more enjoyable. I've tried to think about what it is that make running rewarding. For one thing, there's the sense of accomplishment that comes with it, along with the good feeling that comes with being healthy. But more than that, I think I enjoy running because when you're out there on the road, many of the problems of the world disappear for a while, and all you're left with is your legs below you and the pavement in front of you.
For instance, here are some of the things you DON'T think about when on a nice long run:
— Iran's nuclear ambitions
— The latest figures related to the nation's jobless rate, retail sales growth or stock market performance
— The future of the Mississippi County hospital system
— National health care, Sen. Max Baucus or the public option
— The price of oil, and how it will effect gas prices
— Carol White and the Blytheville City Council
— Jon and Kate
— Where Osama bin Laden is
— The overall condition of local parks
— Glenn Beck
— Who David Letterman has had sex with
— The H1N1 virus
— The fate of Roman Polanski
— The cafeteria at Central Elementary School
— Anything having to do with the West Memphis 3
Conversely, here are some of the things you DO think about:
— Wind
— Rain
— Your legs
— Your knees
— Your feet
— Your heart
— Your lungs
— The pavement
— Goose poop (if running at Walker Park or the Youth Sportsplex).
— Sun
— Sweat
The point is, running cuts you down to the basics. It's a great way to escape the confines of reality, and to get healthy along the way.
Anyone looking to go running (or walking) with fellow citizens, ought to check out the 5K Family Fun Run and 2K Walk, set for 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The entry fee is only $20, and all participants get a t-shirt and a chili-tasting ticket that be used during the chili cookoff being held later that day. Registration can also be made online at www.racesonline.com through Oct. 13. Individuals can also enter on the day of the race (for $30) beginning at 6:30. Participants will meet on the parking lot of the Great River Medical Center.
Running, or even just walking, is a great way to get out, get healthy and get away from it all. Everyone ought to give it a try.
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