I admit that I stole that from a TV commercial, but I found it such a fitting testament to our modern politically correct world that I couldn't resist.
My long silence is due to the happy fact that I have a job and a new apartment, which for the moment does not have internet access...I'm working on that, though. The debate between DSL and cable connections rages on, without much of a conclusion, at least as far as I can tell.
This Christmas season has been strange - It's the first year that I will not be with my family for the holidays, and that has been harder for me than I imagined it would. Being in a new place, away from my childhood and college traditions, and settling into a new job and a new apartment has made this year very un-Christmas-y. I am proud, though, because I bought a tree and put it up all by myself. It was quite a fiasco, involving a too-small saw and a lot of elbow grease. Sharon sent me my Christmas tree ornaments, so I have more than just generic colored balls on it! My stocking is hung by the chimney with care, and I have it on good authority that it will tomorrow will find it full of treats.
I'm sending my love and happy thoughts to "my people", where ever you may find yourselves. I leave you with part of my favorite book - The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Merry Christmas, may the spirit of peace and joy be with you now and always.
And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
