This morning, I sang in our choir's Christmas cantata at church. As it is a fairly long piece, the pastor gave only a brief message. It occurred to me that, although I really wanted to do the cantata, that it was kind of a shame the people weren't going to get the traditional last-Sunday-before-Christmas readings. We weren't completely ready; we'd missed a rehearsal due to snow, and this is the most difficult work we'd attempted in years. And sure enough, it wasn't perfect, but overall it went really well, even the stratospheric places for the sopranos. As we got into it, I was listening--really listening--to the narration, plus the words we were singing, and realized that the people WERE in fact getting the traditional Christmas story. I felt very privileged to get to be a part of delivering that. At times, the enormity of it all overwhelms me. This has been a part of me for my entire life; and for the people who brought me up; for the people who brought them up; and on back, and on back. I am a part of history: it is in me. I have seen my children absorb it all through the years, and now am watching the tiniest ones start to take it all in. Think, just think, of what a wonderful world we live in!

This afternoon, listening to more music, I began to think of all kinds of privileges that I have--they are truly numerous and many are magnificent. I have more than adequate food, clothing, and shelter; I have transportation whenever I want it. I have good health and a loving family that includes two healthy children--that alone would be enough, but I have much more, including the privilege of interacting here with you fine people; some of you I have met in person, even. I hold each of my friends very dear, for reasons that vary with each one. In a little while, I'm going to join a group to go caroling to shut-ins: this will remind me that, although I moan and groan about various aches and pains, I don't really have anything to complain about, in that regard. I suppose it must be part of human nature, to have both stress and enjoyment, whatever our situation. I am now (mostly) beyond focusing on what was lost to me last August the 7th. Yet, I persist in having all this physical and mental lethargy. I have a plan, to begin next month, that I hope will "kickstart" me into throwing it off.

All of us, for better or for worse, play a part in how this world is; we ALL have some kind of influence on others, whether we set out to or not. If you have traditions you want to keep, I hope you are doing so. If you haven't any that you are able or want to keep, I hope that you start new ones--even if it is only for you alone. I don't mean necessarily centered around Christmas; I know there are several here for whom that would be inappropriate. But I think it is important; traditions help define who we are, and it seems to me that most people need that.

Please forgive this long personal monologue; I hope I haven't offended anyone. I'm frankly taking advantage of the fact that this kind of thing has been done here before on occasion, and hoping that I won't be called on the carpet for it! :-) I suppose that something I wrote above could fairly well be said about this post, this board, and my life in general: And sure enough, it wasn't perfect, but overall it went really well. Thanks, everybody--I love you!