Christmas Tree Outing

For the second year in a row, our family journeyed to the Neiman Tree Farm to pick out our Christmas tree. The four of us meandered through the rows and rows of beautiful Fraser Firs looking for just the right tree to catch all our eyes. That four of us, (Mom, Dad, son, and daughter) could agree on a single tree seems impossible but we were able to come to a consensus in short order and without much debate or compromise. We were all in agreement--the tree we stood around was the one.

I took several pictures of the tree before it was to be cut down for us. I tried to get the kids to stand around it and let me take a picture, but that was not something we could agree upon. I lost that argument. I was simply trying to preserve a memory I knew I would look back upon in years to come. But the memory will be etched in my mind, picture or not.

In short order, the tree was cut down and placed upon the top of our vehicle. We proudly drove off congratulating ourselves on what a fine tree it was and how beautiful it would look in our home when adorned with lights and ornaments!

We concluded this journey with a trip to Five Guys Burgers—a favorite of the kids, and mom and dad. Again, agreement was reached quickly and easily. It had actually been decided we would go there before we even left the house.

The tree does it indeed look beautiful in our home and provides a fragrant aroma that enhances our holiday mood. Christmas is made of events like this. Moments that transform into a tradition that we each will remember for years to come. We will tell stories about it and, I suspect, embellish the stories over the years with phrases like “I saw the tree first!,” or “Dad got lost again!”

But it was a moment to enjoy being family. Families aren’t perfect—ours certainly is not. We have our own sense of frustrations with each other at times. And at times we enjoy the tremendous sense of harmony and belonging. Christmas brings a heightened awareness to the value of family. And I’m glad our Christmas tree outing has enriched our family again this year.

Thinking, Saying, Doing!

Gandhi once said, "Happiness occurs when what you think, what you say, and what you do, are in perfect harmony."

We all want happiness. How we express that desire may be different for each of us. And what that happiness looks like in the end, most likely is different for each of us. Happiness could be winning the big game; being accepted into the college of our choice; having children who are healthy; having a career that fulfills our lives. No doubt we could come up with any number of other qualities, opportunities, or fulfilled dreams that could make us happy.

But when you look closely at the quote from Gandhi, you may become disheartened. We want happiness. But getting what I think, what I say, and what I do in perfect harmony as the key to happiness may well be beyond our skill. If I don’t say what I think, and do what I say, happiness may well escape me. It would likely be right here that Charlie Brown would most likely give up and let out his famous phrase, “Good Grief!”

But maybe there’s a way. Our minds are constantly filled with thoughts that demand our attention and consume our time. What if we were to somehow filter through those thoughts and get to the core of what really matters to us. I suspect that sifting our thoughts may just be what the doctor ordered. Some of my thoughts I can’t do anything with right now anyway, so let them go. Other thoughts will require the input and advice of others, so I can move them to another place until that input and advice is received. There are some thoughts that can simply be tossed aside. Like when I begin to think what it would be like to hit the jackpot in the lottery drawing. It’s not likely to happen since I don’t buy lottery tickets. It’s fun to dream, but no need to let the thought consume me.

I don’t know what Gandhi would say, but filtering my thoughts seems like a plausible place to start.

How about the saying part? Seems like I remember a part of a song I learned as a child. “O, be careful little mouth what you say.” It’s easy to let the wrong words slip across our lips. And once they are spoken we can’t simply take them back. But it’s also just as easy to let the right words stay tucked inside and never let them be spoken. How many times have I heard someone say, “I wish I had told her that I love her.” Words are a gift. Use them as a gift.

Then there’s this doing part. There are a number of things I do that contribute to a sense of happiness and they are connected to what I think and what I say. So often I find that the day is filled with other things to do that may or may not be in harmony with what I think and say. The challenge is to focus on doing those activities that enhance my sense of fulfillment. Sure the other things may still have to be done, but learning to prioritize those activities can sure help.

I like the quote by Gandhi. I think he’s right. "Happiness occurs when what you think, what you say, and what you do, are in perfect harmony."

Summer Plans

Recently my wife shared with us at a meal her list of activities she wanted to fulfill during her summer break as an elementary school teacher. Among those activities she listed fishing. That’s an activity she will complete with her brother at a fishing hole yet to be decided. If we are lucky we may even get to have a fish fry as a result.

Since she created a summer list, I decided I would give a try at creating my own summer list of activities. So in no particular order here is my list.

Vacation. Well, that goes without saying but it is a good activity to have on my list. And not just any vacation. But specifically, Pawleys Island, SC, with my family. We’ve been going there around 15 years now and our summer just isn’t complete without a trip there. Now that the kids are getting older I realize that this family trips will be more difficult to schedule.

Visit the family cemetery. Let me explain. Our family cemetery is a small one located on the highest point of a farm that has been in my family for over 100 years. About a dozen of our family members are buried there, including my brother and parents. We aren’t able to get there very often through the year so going and placing flowers at the graves, checking up on things, and telling stories that are recalled from precious memories is always a special event.

Golf with my son. I’ve not played all year, neither has he. But getting out on the course proves to be a great experience. Where we will play and when needs to be scheduled soon!!!

Movies with my daughter. I’m not sure what movies will come out this summer but I’m sure we can find something to see together. Harry Potter comes out July 15th!!

Nice dinner out with my wife. Eating at a nice restaurant, just the two of us, sounds like a special treat. And it is!! I already have some leads on great restaurants and there are some free evenings opening up soon!

Scheduling all these activities around the schedules of our son who is playing football and our daughter who is playing trumpet in the band, and trying to accommodate the things the most certainly have on their own summer list might present a bit of a challenge. I suspect we will get it all done somehow though.

If you were expecting something a bit more grand like an extended family vacation to Europe, well that’s probably found on my “bucket list” rather than on my summer 2011 list. Even so, completing these activities in the weeks before school starts will produce enough good memories, laughs, and pictures to last me until I create another list—perhaps a fall list would be good.