23 Dec '04 - + 0 - 0 Serenity

Christmas was the birth of a dood named Jesus. Jesus was a prophet and shared lots of neat ideas with people to show them they can be loving and caring. (I personally find the religious part of Jesus' life pure crap thanks to Plato and that St. guy who had to translate the bible into "absolute truth")
So what the hell is the crap that requires trees and billions of dollars in gifts? What better ways to say I love you than this distraction? I can understand baking a few extra dozen cookies for friends and family, but this spend spend mentality is for the ducks. (Disclaimer) I may feel different if I was not broke.

I was told to say this prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

eight stones, bouncing:

I could be wrong, but I don’t think being broke has anything to do with it.

There are gifts that you buy and gifts that you share. If you are the kind of person that is willing to share the gift that is you, Christmas as it is celebrated today will never make sense.

JC () - 23 December '04 - 13:55

Have you ever thought about putting your crap (as you call it) behind you, and think about the joy that Kim, Ryan, and the new one will have when they see the tree being decorated, the happiness on Kim’s face should be enough to get you through the rough time. The joys of seeing Ryan and Kim’s face to know that you want to be a part of their beliefs and traditions instead of knocking it. The joy that they share together as a family with our family. The joy of surprise on Ryan’s eyes to see that Santa has been to his house when he sees the presents. You may not have a lot of money, but guess what Christmas is not all about money. You bought a couple hundred of dollars for presents, great then present them in the manner of love and the holiday will be great. Do you see where I am going JOY!!!!! There has to be a way to get both of your beliefs and traditions into a household that can share a wonderful time as Christmas or whatever your beliefs are. Holidays should bring you two closer not sarcastic or hurtful…

Angela - 27 December '04 - 14:36

That all may be true. And any advice given in the spirit of love is a loving thing, to be cherished.

However happiness comes from within. It can not be given nor taken away.

Oh and two shoulds is two too many.

But that doesn’t mean you are not on the right track. Seriously. We are men and women of love, sarcasm does not become us.

JC () - 27 December '04 - 15:32

I just want to see my sister happy, and what Nathan has to say about our beliefs as a family upsets her. I would think wow if that upsets my better half then I should stop. Since Kim is with Nathan then I hope the best for them, and somewhere there has to be a point that the two of them work as a unit, and not against each other. GOODLUCK!!

Angela - 27 December '04 - 21:39

Luckily they have time on their side. Youth is a beautiful thing.

Sometimes I wish I was 23 again. With my whole life ahead of me…

JC () - 28 December '04 - 07:38

Totally agree, I just hope that something gives soon, to help them. I know when Aby is about 4 months old some freedom will happen. That seemed to be the happy time for all three of my kiddos. I know the tension with a new baby in the house, I have also experienced the whole 2 year old with a new one. My oldest daughter was not quite two when my third was born by an emergency c-section. Youth is a beautiful thing as you said, and they have the kids early enough to get through it and enjoy the rest later. Just enjoy everything big or small.

Angela - 28 December '04 - 08:52

I know Nathan really well and I can say that although sarcasm is definitely not the answer, it was not just the events around Christmas that made the sarcasm difficult to control…it was a combination of everything throughout the pregnancy and unfortunately additional things now that Aby is born. I can say though that in any relationship compromise is extremely important…which is what I think you were saying Angela. I believe Nathan and Kim bring different traditions to the table and as a couple they will have to find a way to incorporate both. In tight money situations everything will be more difficult, but hopefully over time it will work itself out.

sis - 28 December '04 - 09:20

I would like to think it would. My own tolerance for materialism is very thin and when choices are made to by 10.00 in blocks instead of Childrens Tylenol Cold it seems illogical. Priorities are difficult to agree on when perspectives seem so far apart. Other times they are right on. Aby spending a weekend in the Hospital means things need to be toned down, but $500.00 later they have not. It is tough not to get defensive with sarcasm because life seems so sarcastic right now.

Nathan - 28 December '04 - 10:15