Drafts, beautiful music, shopping, parties, and giving

So apparently I have five drafts that I have not posted. Mostly I just don't have that much to say. And if/when I do, I tend to reread it and decide it is just too disjointed to a post.

So, here comes yet another attempt, which will be yet another bulleted update on my life, for the two of you who still stop by occasionally. :-)

• I finished most of my Christmas shopping yesterday. Hooray! The snow falling and my playing Bach's Wachet Auf (Sleepers Awake) made the day pretty darn good. If I could find a way to upload the version the string quartet at our Lessons and Carols did last year, I would. I am telling you it is hard not to listen to that song and feel a a sense of calm as well as an appreciation for the beautiful music. Google it (or find it on You Tube), and you probably won't be disappointed.
• I went to my first building holiday party Friday. I knew only the people on my floor and a handful of people on two other floors. But I did meet a few more. The food was good and plentiful, and there was a nice, small selection of beer and wine. One guy asked a coworker if I was his wife. I took that as a compliment because said coworker is nine years younger than I (no, don't even suggest that this guy just thought I was his older wife). Another guy asked that same coworker why he did not bring me downstairs for the "early start" to the party. Sounds as if I am "in" next year.
• The Steelers have a losing record. Yeah, newsflash, I know. What I find weird, but I guess not surprising, is how people have jumped off the bandwagon. Normally there are at least two dozen people at mass on a football Sunday wearing some type of Steelers garb. Today I did not notice a single person. Now, maybe someone had a shirt underneath the coat he/she did not take off, or maybe I just missed a person or two. But the dearth of Steeler attire was quite noticeable. I did, however, notice two people wearing Pirates clothing. Never thought I would see the day that Pirates gear would outnumber Steelers gear in December.
• I am probably the last person to sing the praises of technology. And you can bet I will always be one of the last people to try anything new. But I so love that you can upload a picture for a Christmas card online, and have your cards ready in a couple of hours. I remember years ago going to Target and getting J's Christmas pictures, along with our cards, done. I think it took about a week, maybe 10 days. One year, I was picking up the Christmas cards the day before Christmas Eve. This same-day thing is all that and a bag of chips!
• As much as I fail as a parent, at least I am teaching my child the importance of generosity and appreciating what we have. She told me the other day that she took money out of her bag at school (she keeps $2.75 in there in case she forgets her lunch or lunch tickets) because not that many classmates contributed to the collection for a boy in the community. J told me that he really wanted clothes, and with the small amount of money, he would not be able to get much. She had already turned in money, but I was glad she wanted to do more and felt empathy for that boy, whoever he is.

And that, to me, is a big part of what the holidays are about. Even if you have no religious beliefs, this time of year you can be a little kinder, a little more generous, and a little more understanding. I am really trying to do my part.

Peace and blessings to you.