December 22
Our Christmas Future tradition has begun to take form and involves a marked contrast with prior holiday traditions. For Bruce, the tradition over the past 35 years meant traveling to the wintery Midwest to spend time with family. Packages were wrapped and celebration was awaiting arrival in the Midwest. For Diane, the tradition involved multiple family celebrations, carefully orchestrated to avoid conflicts in time as well as personalities, everyone getting a fair share of visit time, up and down the length of California.
Opening a window to the future, we see the following unfolding over time. We would like to experience the simple, original four-candle advent observance – new candle, lit each Sunday at sunset and possibly each evening throughout the week, time permitting. We would like to continue to decorate a fresh Christmas tree with ornaments which for awhile, at least, reflect our African experiences. We will spend time with family and take walks in the parks or visit the many beautiful shorelines. We will make occasional visits to remaining family in the Midwest. We will visit those who are infirmed and confined, sharing our travels and adventures with them. We will shop for clothes, food, and toys for those less fortunate, especially children. We will provide support for community-oriented service groups such as the Lions Club. We will attend performances of music and live drama. We might learn to play an instrument, attend classes at a nearby college to complete another degree, and write, think, hope, dream, and wish.
What the future has in store for us largely depends on our ability to sift through the past and examine the worth of what’s been kept. Nostalgia is not a bad thing unless the weight of what one clings to becomes too heavy a burden to allow one to move forward.
The giving of oneself in the way of time, gifts in kind, or gifts of the heart can enrich us in ways we had not thought possible. Simplifying in every corner of one’s dwelling and mind makes room for the growth of new ideas. The plans and projects that help build our future also provide direction for the life we want to lead. Having someone to share all of this with is truly a gift we can give each other.
Bruce Gelvin and Diane Bowers-Parr
Opening a window to the future, we see the following unfolding over time. We would like to experience the simple, original four-candle advent observance – new candle, lit each Sunday at sunset and possibly each evening throughout the week, time permitting. We would like to continue to decorate a fresh Christmas tree with ornaments which for awhile, at least, reflect our African experiences. We will spend time with family and take walks in the parks or visit the many beautiful shorelines. We will make occasional visits to remaining family in the Midwest. We will visit those who are infirmed and confined, sharing our travels and adventures with them. We will shop for clothes, food, and toys for those less fortunate, especially children. We will provide support for community-oriented service groups such as the Lions Club. We will attend performances of music and live drama. We might learn to play an instrument, attend classes at a nearby college to complete another degree, and write, think, hope, dream, and wish.
What the future has in store for us largely depends on our ability to sift through the past and examine the worth of what’s been kept. Nostalgia is not a bad thing unless the weight of what one clings to becomes too heavy a burden to allow one to move forward.
The giving of oneself in the way of time, gifts in kind, or gifts of the heart can enrich us in ways we had not thought possible. Simplifying in every corner of one’s dwelling and mind makes room for the growth of new ideas. The plans and projects that help build our future also provide direction for the life we want to lead. Having someone to share all of this with is truly a gift we can give each other.
Bruce Gelvin and Diane Bowers-Parr
posted by Pastor Stan | 10:17 AM
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