Tonight I went over to my Dad's house for the annual lighting of the Wiggins family Christmas tree! :) Every year my Dad and I pick a night to decorate the tree and house for the holidays. My Dad is really big on tradition. We usually have to have the Christmas music playing and the sugar cookies in the oven before the night is complete.
As we were decorating the tree this year, I smiled to myself as I realized how routine it is for us. It's always just my Dad and I - which I love! We get to catch up on our lives and talk about the upcoming holiday plans. This year I was also reminded of how much my Dad pays attention to detail... it takes him forever to decorate a tree! First of all, after we string the lights on the tree we always have to step back and squint our eyes to make sure there are no gaps in the lighting. I'm not sure what difference it makes, but he has to adjust the lights at least twice. lol. I used to get annoyed at this, but tonight was different. On to the ornaments... It's like he wants to place each ornament in the best place possible! Each ornament has to hang the right way and be in the right spot. Finally, we hang the star - well in our case its a little craft that I made when I was in pre-school. We laughed tonight as we looked at the date on it. That craft is officially 20 years old! My dad said that he treated that thing like gold over the years, making sure that it never got damaged or torn. Who knew he would love my little craft so much! :)
(BTW - A funny story just because this is my blog and I can insert funny stories where I please - One year, my Dad thought it would be a good idea for us to go pick a REAL tree out of the woods. Well, not only did we get lost, but we ended up coming home with a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree look alike. It was so tiny. Also when we tried to decorate it we got poked and stabbed by its needles. Not the best idea, but a funny memory!)
This Christmas is different for me. It will be the first Christmas that I am away from my family. Although I know I will be having a great time in Utah, I know that I will miss MY family traditions. My dad got me a little choked up tonight as we savored our little routine. He gave me a giant hug as I left and commented on how this might have been the last time for us to decorate the tree, just me and him. Shot to the heart.... Family means so much to me! I'm glad I have great traditions to expand and share when I get a little family of my own! :)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
This summer there was an event where a soldier's funeral was protested by a specific religious group. In fact, there were several instances in which this happened. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now.
Another religious group is now threatening to protest at Elizabeth Edwards funeral. The interesting part is that their reason for protesting has nothing to do with Elizabeth Edwards - just like the reasons for protesting at the soldiers funerals had nothing to do with that individual soldier.
I understand the idea of freedom of speech, but at what point is it taken to an extreme. Personally, I feel that protesting came be used in a beneficial way. HOWEVER, protesting at some one's funeral is totally inappropriate. I feel as though it is a classless act that contains zero respect. A funeral is a place for remembrance and the celebration of a life lost - NOT FOR A POLITICAL STANCE! It is extremely disrespectful, not only to the lost life, but to the family and friends in attendance. I will never understand the act of protesting at a funeral, and heaven help me if I attend one where this takes place!
Another religious group is now threatening to protest at Elizabeth Edwards funeral. The interesting part is that their reason for protesting has nothing to do with Elizabeth Edwards - just like the reasons for protesting at the soldiers funerals had nothing to do with that individual soldier.
I understand the idea of freedom of speech, but at what point is it taken to an extreme. Personally, I feel that protesting came be used in a beneficial way. HOWEVER, protesting at some one's funeral is totally inappropriate. I feel as though it is a classless act that contains zero respect. A funeral is a place for remembrance and the celebration of a life lost - NOT FOR A POLITICAL STANCE! It is extremely disrespectful, not only to the lost life, but to the family and friends in attendance. I will never understand the act of protesting at a funeral, and heaven help me if I attend one where this takes place!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Believe
Last night I went to my first Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. I say the first because I know it will not be the last. It was an amazing show. I am one of those people who are truly moved by music, and this show honestly moved me.
The Carol of the Bells was of course played with the electric guitars, fire spurting out on stage, laser lights beaming, and 80's looking rockers swinging their long hair. I couldn't help but laugh at the 'rock on' hand signs being made. There was even a woman in front of us that was trying to film the performance on her phone - yet she was dancing so much she didn't really get the best footage. It didn't matter to her though, she was having the time of her life! Then there were the simple and quite Christmas songs, sung by the rarest voices with a single spotlight on them. They even played my favorite Christmas song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cP26ndrmtg
Hearing all of that Christmas music really put me in the Christmas Spirit. Something about Christmas always seems magical. It is a time in which people renew their kindness and love for life and each other. Even though there is the hustle and bustle of shopping and traveling, there seems to be a reverence for something more. This year there is one word that I think of - BELIEVE.
Believe in happiness. Believe in kindness. Believe in love. Believe in faith. Believe in friendship. And most importantly, believe in Christmas miracles - not only that you might have one for yourself, but that you might make one happen for someone else too.
The Carol of the Bells was of course played with the electric guitars, fire spurting out on stage, laser lights beaming, and 80's looking rockers swinging their long hair. I couldn't help but laugh at the 'rock on' hand signs being made. There was even a woman in front of us that was trying to film the performance on her phone - yet she was dancing so much she didn't really get the best footage. It didn't matter to her though, she was having the time of her life! Then there were the simple and quite Christmas songs, sung by the rarest voices with a single spotlight on them. They even played my favorite Christmas song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cP26ndrmtg
Hearing all of that Christmas music really put me in the Christmas Spirit. Something about Christmas always seems magical. It is a time in which people renew their kindness and love for life and each other. Even though there is the hustle and bustle of shopping and traveling, there seems to be a reverence for something more. This year there is one word that I think of - BELIEVE.
Believe in happiness. Believe in kindness. Believe in love. Believe in faith. Believe in friendship. And most importantly, believe in Christmas miracles - not only that you might have one for yourself, but that you might make one happen for someone else too.
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