Turkey of Gratitude

I discovered this little piece of art only after everyone had gone home following our family get-together on Christmas Eve:

My talented 12-year-old niece Jenna strikes again, teaching an important lesson on gratitude and the receiving of Christmas presents as only she (and this turkey) could do.

Joyful and Triumphant

Another great Christmas holiday is in the books! To celebrate this wondrous holiday and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the family gathered for our annual Christmas dinner and pageant on Christmas Eve.

The food was delicious and plentiful, and once again my sister put together a fantastic Christmas pageant program, which included music by Ben and Jenna on the violin, Steve on the guitar, and Jessica on the piano and a duet by Dave and Kira.

Jackson, who had seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the first time Tuesday night and was very excited about the movie, created this for me out of LEGO bricks:

Jackson wasn't the only one whose mind was on Star Wars. Biz tells me that nine-month-old Kate picked out this beanie for me at the store and would not let go of it:

As for that weird kind of depression that sets in on the morning of Boxing Day when you realize that Christmas is over for another year? Save it for January 6th, because December 25th is actually the first day of Christmas and not the twelfth. In the meantime, I reserve the right to wear my Christmas socks and listen to holiday tunes through Three Kings Day.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Improvables: Christmas Party 2015

At the troupe Christmas party this week, the food was good and plentiful, as was the company, but the highlight was our annual white elephant gift exchange. This is usually the case, as our gang gets quite creative with this task. Among the presents divvied out were Star Wars goodies, a cactus, and a coffee mug in the shape of a toilet

As for yours truly, I ended up with an Obama Chia Head:

Hope for sunlight, and change the water often.

Fortunately, I got the "Happy" Obama Chia Head. The "Determined" one, from the photograph on the box, shows a much sterner president, like when he is handling an important chore that comes with the highest political office in the land, such as concentrating on a golf putt.

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland, Alone

"It's been a long time, been a long time,
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time."
 -Led Zeppelin, "Rock and Roll"

The holidays are all about either enjoying the chilly outdoors together with a loved one ("Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland") or staying indoors together with a loved one because it's chilly outdoors ("Baby, It's Cold Outside"). Well, that's what my radio tells me ad nauseum each night as I drift off to sleep. Eventually.

Why are the holidays such a tough time for many singles? For many, it's because of songs like these aforementioned ones, which remind them just what they lack. It's the season of giving and receiving, and one of the greatest gifts of all somehow seems to elude them. Also, Hallmark movies, which convey sort of the same message.

This topic has been on my mind this holiday season because, well, the holidays just don't seem to really get any easier for those of us on the Island of Misfit Toys. You'd think it would get easier with time. But it never seems to.

Some fill the void by throwing themselves into their work, their hobbies, social events with friends, or a combination of these things. Even social media seems like a substitute for companionship. Others face rejection, and then give up completely. They withdraw and become hardened or stop trying to move forward.

At times, I have been all of these people.

And then there's my family member who has had a very tough month. I last wrote about this person on Thanksgiving Day here on Paco Nation. We've all hoped and prayed things would get better.

They haven't.

I visited this person last week for the first time at this person's new place of residence, where treatment is ongoing. I meant to stop by for at least an hour, but I ended up staying for three. This person plead with me to stay there until it was time for bed.

Loneliness comes in so many forms.

All of this was on my mind last week when I attended the First Presidency Christmas Devotional down at the Conference Center. Thank goodness I had the opportunity to go. It was comforting to me personally to hear President Dieter F. Uchtdorf remind us all about the One for whom we celebrate Christmas:

"He saves us from loneliness, emptiness, and unworthiness. He opens our eyes and our ears. He transforms darkness to light, grief to hope, and loneliness to love."

I need saving from all three of those things. In some ways, I still need my eyes and ears opened. It was a concept that was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment.

Does that instantly make it all better? No. But it helps me to remember what matters most at this time. It teaches me that while the pain, suffering, and grief of this life are in fact temporary, so is loneliness.

That thought alone may get me through New Year's, at least.

My Dinner with Luke

This kid, my nephew Luke, recently turned 10 years old:

To celebrate his birthday (a bit late due to scheduling differences), we went out to eat dinner together at Chuck-a-Rama, because that's the kind of uncle I am and I let them pick where they'd like to go eat. After that, we went to the store so he could pick out his own present. Like the cool kids do at this time of year.

It was an enjoyable evening out with one of my favorite people.

Christmas Party on the Island of Misfit Toys

Saturday night, it was the ward's annual Christmas party. It was a great opportunity to get together with several good friends in the ward to enjoy a catered meal provided by Red Flame, as well as to be entertained by the many talents of my fellow Misfit Toys. Singing, dancing, hula dancing, etc.

Also, ugly sweaters. My photo here does not capture the variety of sweaters/ugliness of said sweaters (though Emily's was a good one), but trust me when I say that my fellow ward members certainly delivered.