Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

Life is cyclical and linear, rather like history itself. History builds on everything that has happened before this minute, while at the same time, many of the same type events reoccur. You never jump in the same river twice, but the river always has some similar characteristics.

I was born at 7 PM on Christmas Day, thirty-seven years ago. Christmas was my favorite season. Some of my earliest memories are of watching the projector display a colored light on our foil Christmas tree before the wheel spun, placing a different color in front of the lamp. Christmas meant special songs, and presents, and visits from my grandmother. Sometimes Christmas meant a trip to Texas to see my grandfather. I loved Christmas, though I did learn that Christmas was much more important than mere birthdays.

My parents are gone now, and I find myself about to part ways with my second wife. Life is change, though. This Christmas I am with my close friends the Zeanahs, sharing a house with the sweet, beautiful dog I got fourteen years ago in Mobile, Alabama. In a few days, I'll get a chance to camp and hunt with my friends Davis and Byron, and then, I'll start my new career as a high school teacher. Life is often not what we imagine it will be- but it's still good.

I hope each of you have a Christmas filled with laughter, and love. May this coming year be full of peace and new discovery, and may you be the absolute best you can. Since I've been blessed with such incredible friends, your best is awe-inspiring. Merry Christmas, everybody.

John

9 comments:

Tam said...

Merry Christmas, John.

I hope 2009 is a great year for you.

charlotte g said...

Those kids are so lucky to have you. I still remember Charles Spicer, my American history teacher junior year, who ignited my love of history forevermore. May you heal well, continue loving well, and find blessings and value in every day.

phlegmfatale said...

John - I hope you are richly blessed in the coming year.

Assrot said...

I hope you had a nice Christmas.

You are the same age as my oldest daughter. Small world heh?

I'm sorry to hear your 2nd marriage did not work out. I can't offer any words of wisdom on that. Marriage works great for some but not so good for others. I've been married longer than you've been alive. It hasn't always been easy. I am happy with it now but if I was your age and had it to do over, I'd recommend against it.

I know it's hard. I divorced my 1st wife after 9 years. Try to look on the bright side. It's a new beginning in your life.

I think you will find that teaching is a very rewarding thing to do in terms of the soul. It's never been very rewarding financially but if all you work for is money, you'll never be happy.

Happy New Year,

Joe

Old NFO said...

I'm a little late, but Happy New Year John- Good luck with the teaching and best wishes for 2009!

J.R.Shirley said...

Thanks, everyone. :-)

On a Wing and a Whim said...

Happier New Year, with time to make many memories to cherish ahead!

Take care o' yourself. And if you ever get up to Alaska give me a holler. :-)

Home on the Range said...

Merry Christmas - a little Celtic blessing -

“May the blessing of light be on you, light without and light within.

May the blessed sunlight shine upon you and warm your heart till it glows, Like a great peat fire, so that the stranger may come
and warm himself at it, as well as the friend.

And may the light shine out of the eyes of you, like a candle set in the windows of a house, Bidding the wanderer to come in out of the storm.

And may the blessing of the rain be on you - the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may spring up, And shed their sweetness on the air.

And may the blessing of the great rains be on you, that they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there many a shining pool, and sometimes a star.

And may the blessing of the earth be on you - the great round earth;
May you ever have a kindly greeting for people you pass
as you are going along the roads.

J.R.Shirley said...

I can use all the blessings I get. And I'll make it to Alaska one day. Thanks. :-)


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