Merry Christmas from the Island
December 25th, 2008. Filed under: This & That, Thursday's Travels.Today I’m enjoying the freshness of the morning, and feeling blessed. I’m celebrating the birth of my saviour and the abundance with which I’ve been given. Last night I sat out on the beach and watched the stream of brightly decorated boats as they sailed along the coast of the mainland in their annual parade of glory. The little fairy lights were lit along the dunes leading to the beach, and the once a year indulgence of twinkle lights in the palms gave a warm glow as the breezes sent them dancing.
Consumer Man was able to get over to the island for Christmas Eve and we celebrated with a West Indian banquet of oxtail, curried chicken, rice and peas, steamed veggies, fried dumpling and plantain. I baked a traditional American dish of apple pie, but it went untouched as we enjoyed our island cuisine. In our frugality, we had designated this year as a Christmas of blessings and not gifts. Our gifts were the many blessings God has bestowed upon us. The basics of food, shelter and clothing and so much more above and beyond. We’ve been blessed with our health, jobs, cars to get to the jobs and more “stuff” than we need so that we can bless others out of our abundance. We can laugh, love and cry together, because God has blessed our union. We have imagination and talents that we can share with others. And we’ve been blessed with family and many friends. We have enough and what more should anyone ask?
Consumer Man has already returned to his job on the mainland, but I’m not alone. I’m surrounded with love. I sat here with a steaming mug of coffee and a gooey piece of chocolate delight as I opened gifts sent over by friends. I’m surrounded by books, craft and sewing supplies, candles, perfume, soaps, cocoa, tea, more chocolate, hazelnuts, lace and music, books, writing supplies and utensils, bracelets and pins, lotions and potions and of course music. CDs and old sheet music for a special project. There’s a Maxine calendar. I love that crotchety old woman and her warped sense of humour. And there are the beautiful, hand crafted ornaments sent by friends both far and near. And a couple very special autographed ornaments received from Martha Pullen. I even have a booklet of 16 crocheted ornaments. I can start on my ornaments for next year’s exchange with these. Some of these thoughtful gifts are rare treats on the island.
I was blessed with being able to spend Christmas Eve with Consumer Man, and I’ll be spending Christmas dinner with friends over on the mainland. Then once again I’ll return to my island retreat. My cup overflows.
Have you taken time to count your blessings instead of the material gifts that you either did or did not receive?
December 26th, 2008 at 16:38
I went away with you to your warm sunny island and enjoyed the thought provoking account of your blessings. Thanks for the nano-vacation.
December 26th, 2008 at 17:07
Thank you for stopping by. Come visit my island again.