Christmas Cheer

For the last three years I have come to expect the same thing out of my holiday season. For the weeks leading up to Christmas I work on finals and getting school wrapped up, while at the same time getting my store ready for the steady rush of holiday shoppers. Apart from missing the rush of angry mobs of people in the mall (hello recession) this season has been much of the same.
This week began with an upward spiral of tests, last minute assignments, and final reviews. I am overwhelmed with school, yet overly grateful for some of the things I've learned this semester. I have a new understanding and respect for this beautiful world God created for us. My Global Environment class has given me a chance to appreciate the glorious various aspects that make up this planet. Creation is really a miracle that should not be overlooked. Although some of the natural disasters we've learned about have scared the crap out of me, I've found myself digging up movies about volcanoes, ice ages, bbc's Planet Earth, even subscribing to National Geographic. If you didn't already think I was a tree hugger... if you've spoken to me lately you'd find me on a whole different level of "Environmentalist."
Work as always gives me a sense of the Holiday Spirit. Being in a mall filled with more decorations and Christmas music than there are customers really makes me feel grounded and at home. Only a Hotdogger would tell you that being at the mall at Christmas is where you are at home. After a long shift with dear friends... also known as employees or co-workers, I'm so filled with the Holiday spirit that all I want to do is drive home and spend time with my mom, dad, brothers, and my puppy. I've found that divorce only effects the Holidays if you let it. It doesn't matter if you have one home, two homes, or ten homes to go to, your family is what you make it. I've made mine the best. I can only thank God that I am so blessed to have these people in my life. In the last 3 Christmases my family has created new traditions, new memories, and even new people that I now consider family members.
I was just sifting through some of the blogs I like to catch up on... I always start with Kate's and move through her family and pretty soon I'm in Angela's, Steph's... and on and on. By the time I'm done I haven't even written in my own and a good hour has passed. I love seeing how happy everyone is and just how much has changed in everyone's lives since I moved over 3 years ago. Sometimes I feel left behind and other times I'm just very happy and grateful for everyone. We all take different paths in life but somehow they stay connected, even across ocean's and continents.
I don't get sentimental often, and especially without being sarcastic right after. So, to all my dear friends who are reading this: Merry Christmas. I love you all. I hope you all have a blessed Holiday and that we all remember what/WHO this season is about. Thank Heavenly Father for those you know, and give even as Christ would.
With Joy,
Nik