DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

December 26th....Day One After Christmas 

Today is the first day of Kwanza; as well as the second day of TWELVETIDE.  Twelvetide runs from December 25th to January 5th. It’s also the fifth day of Hanukkah and the fifth day of Yuletide. 

Yesterday was Christmas.  Being just my husband and myself, now that we live in Florida (our family is still up north), we don’t celebrate as we once did.  We still try to keep some of the same traditions for just us two; a Christmas Eve meal of seafood; ham on Christmas Day lunch; kielbasa for our morning.  We belong to many veterans and benevolent organizations.  One of our veterans organizations had a bring a coveted dish lunch for Christmas.  They supplied ham and turkey, those attending were to bring a covered dish. It is done for those who are alone and have no place else to go; they would come there to be with others in the same situation. It’s nice that the organization does something for members to celebrate the holiday instead of being alone.  They did the same for Thanksgiving. In years past I attended the holiday meals at one of the veterans clubs in my area but sometimes I’d rather my husband and I just stay home.  People come to these dinners then complain if there is something being served they don’t like; or there isn’t something available they want; the food isn’t cooked to their perfection or there were not sufficient desserts.  For these individuals I must bite my tongue from not saying something about their complaints.  I could remind them they could have gone to a restaurant or stayed home, but I keep quiet.  It’s hard for me not to give them a word or two about their whining. After all they go to these free dinners and should know the score by now. Those who don’t bring a dish to pass it share generally put a few dollars into the donation container.   I’ve seen people leave a dollar; where else can you go for a holiday dinner for a dollar.  I’ve brought dish to pass in the past years and left a decent donation.   This year we decided to stay home for dinner but go out after the dinner ended to see how big the crowd attending.  We found many came at the designated time the meal served; they ate their fill; took a to go box and leave.  I have no problem with a to go box but please wait till the end of the dinner just in case there are late arrivals.  Enough said I think.  

As for my act of spreading cheer for day twenty-six, I went up to each person I encountered and said “Merry Christmas”.  I then left a generous supply of candy canes and chocolates for everyone to take if they so desired.   

As we wind down the year and begin to prepare for New Years celebrations, please remember it’s still the season of Christmas. Good deeds and acts of spreading cheer can still be a part of your routine.  Kindness is not just a seasonal act; kindness is each and every day.  

Until tomorrow....begin to reflect on the past year and what you’d like to accomplish in the year ahead.