Merry Holiday

By god, it's beyond the middle of December already? And, Christmas is fast approaching! Where did the time go?...who knows? But, ahhh, the holiday season is amongst us, and I love it! I love the lights and decorations that people put up and many more people seem to be in a brighter mood (that is, when they're not at the mall shopping). Usually, the weather is crisp and cool, and the air seems electrified, or maybe it's just me emanating the joy I feel! Okay, the weather we've been having lately is starting to bog me down. I love the rain but this ongoing rain is insane! It has NOT let up. My plants are drowning along with the earthworms. I swear I have not seen a single earthworm come up for air in my front or back yard, probably because this excess water has killed them is what I'm thinking.

Furthermore, all this rain is disrupting my dogs' desire to pee and poop. My poor dogs don't want to do their business...well, except for Morpheus. He's the only one not bothered by the rain. Ripley, the little queen that she is, does everything she can to avoid having water touch her paws which is impossible with this weather. Elektra, who neither likes the idea of getting wet nor the unpredictable sounds that can occur from rain, loves sitting underneath the small walkway in front of the house to feel the cold air. She sits there for about an hour and then is ready to come into the warm house.

Although I enjoy Christmas like most people, it is not my favorite holiday because it's become too commercialized for me. Also, I dislike the pressure of having to shop for someone and trying to figure out what to get. Where and when did we get this idea of gift giving anyway? From the Three Wise Kings bearing gifts? I thought Christmas was about bringing good cheer and love towards men? Well, I suppose exchanging gifts is a wonderful way to that, until, of course, it becomes an obligation or you are expected to give a gift, then it becomes stressful. I do enjoy buying gifts for people, but it is unpleasant shopping when there are hundreds of people shopping at the same time. And, it's never fun to witness some people transform into aggressive lunatics when trying to vie for a parking space at the mall.

Recently, I had a conversation with Augustine regarding gift giving as we were driving to the movie theatre. I was curious to see what he wanted for Christmas. Basically, he said that there was nothing he needed or wanted. Sounded good to me, I thought. However, after a moment, he continued.

"All I ever get are sweaters and pajamas for Christmas," he said with a hint of complaint.

Oh-oh..."I thought you liked pajamas," I said, as I thought about the nice pajamas I had just gotten him recently that just happened to arrive in the mail two days ago and were safely hidden away.

"I didn't say I didn't like pajamas. It's just that I'm a musician and nobody has ever thought of giving me a gift card from Guitar Center," he replied.

So true, I thought. Fortunately, besides those pajamas I had bought him, I had already decided to get him a gift card from Guitar Center. Also, I did make it a point to tell my sisters this year to get Augustine a gift card from Guitar Center instead of getting him the usual sweater he gets from them every year. Geez, after all these years we've been together, I never even thought of Guitar Center even though I knew he often bought things there. It only hit me after Augustine's exasperated bewilderment last Christmas when he said, "Why doesn't anyone give me a gift card from Guitar Center? Chino always gets them." Chino is a long time friend of his who is also a guitarist but not as good as Augustine in my opinion. So, I made a mental note of his manly whining, and I remembered for this Christmas.

I am embarrassed to say that I was a perfect example of how clueless a person can be when it came to knowing what gift to give someone you know very well. Gosh, it would be easier if he were a dog. A dog wouldn't care what gift you give him. Take Morpheus as an example. He would be thrilled with one squeaky toy more than food itself. A squeaky toy would delight the dickens out of him. On the other hand, Ripley would always choose food (meat, that is, since she's not partial to fruits or vegetables) over a silly toy. Elektra would be excited with either. She doesn't discriminate. And, if they didn't get anything at all, they would still be content. My point is they don't expect any presents for Christmas nor do they care if they don't get any, which is refreshing and a relief. Because of their lack of expectations and carelessness, it makes me want to give them anything they want. Wouldn't it be nice if the majority of people felt the same way? Not expecting anything but always appreciative if they did get something.

I endeavor to be appreciative of whatever I get but it doesn't always work out that way, especially when I suspect I might be getting something I don't want. Augustine had asked me what I wanted for Christmas this past weekend as we were waiting for our breakfast to be served at Mimi's.

"I really don't want anything. Get me whatever, I don't care," I said. It was true. I've been buying myself presents throughout the year that there was nothing I could think of to want.

He looked over to my purse and asked, "Where did you get that purse?"

"Ooh, I love this purse. It's so functional. I got it when I was in Boston," I said. I paused for a moment, then asked, "Were you thinking of buying me a purse?"

"Well, you said I could give you whatever I wanted," he replied.

"But I don't want a purse," I quickly said. "I have so many."

"Then, what do you want?" he asked again.

"I don't know," I answered.

"Then, I'll just give you money," Augustine said with some resignation.

"Money??!!" I said indignantly. "Why would you just give me money? That seems so impersonal."

Augustine didn't say anything else. He just looked at me, put his lips together in a tight smile and shook his head at me. I knew what he was thinking but I decided to play dumb because I knew that plenty of people would love to get money for Christmas.

"What?" I asked, attempting to sound innocent. "Fine, get me whatever you want but don't get me a purse."

Poor Augustine. Sometimes, I don't make it easy for him. I'm sure he was tempted to bop me on the head the way Moe would do to Curly from The Three Stooges to remind me to be appreciative of whatever I got. Clearly, appreciation wasn't in my mind at the time. To my weak defense, our conversation occurred before our breakfast arrived, so I was pretty hungry which clouded my thinking.

Yes, in retrospect, it made me question myself. Did I forget the meaning of Christmas? It's not about getting presents, although some people may think so. I mean, how fortunate was I to even have someone want to buy me a purse or offer to give me money? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy receiving presents just like anybody else, but presents are truly just a result of Christmas and not the reason. I supposed if I were Ripley, I would have just said, "Thanks daddy, a purse would be lovely," and that would be it. But, hey, being human with particular preferences, it didn't happen that way, which is probably the reason Augustine usually ends up giving me gift cards from stores he knows I frequent.

When I think of the meaning of Christmas, I automatically think of my dogs. Christmas for me is to spread love, peace and joy, and my dogs certainly do that for me all year round. They don't wait for the Christmas season to come. Also, they don't expect any gifts. They are happy just to be with me because they love me. Isn't that a gift in itself? Being content just because you are with them...it's the best! And, I am blessed with three of them. In this respect, I strive to be like my dogs. To be satisfied just to be around people you love, sharing joy and laughter with them, and it costs absolutely nothing to do that. Christmas is not about stressing and rushing because you haven't gone shopping or you don't know what gift to give or worrying if your gift is enough, etc. It's not about those trivial things. We humans get so caught up with the material stuff that surrounds Christmas that we tend to forget the spiritual essence of it.

Love your dog. If you don't have one, adopt or save one, then you will know that having a dog will always bring love and good cheer in your house whether it be Christmas or not. They will brighten you up like a lit Christmas tree that lights and decorations would be unnecessary. This year I opted not to get a Christmas tree or put up any decorations just because I haven't had the time. However, because of the love and funny personalities that Ripley, Morpheus and Elektra display every day, I am always filled with happiness, love and laughter just being around them. If Santa truly existed and he had the power and ability to give me anything I wanted, I would ask him to add ten more healthy years to each of my dogs' lives. Now, that would be the most perfect Christmas gift for me. Regardless, my dogs are and have been the best gift ever to have come into my life. Merry Holiday!!!

Thank you for reading my blog. Any comment is welcomed.