Friday, December 27, 2013

Forever a Princess





This weekend ABC Family is showing only princess movies.  I only know this because my dad informed me.  He was extremely excited to tell me and I think he secretly wants me to come home and watch some of the marathon with him, which I might.  He found out about this magical event while he was watching Prancer, which he admittedly cries every time he watches it. 

My dad only has daughters, so this isn't surprising behavior, I know.  But he isn't a feminine dad... he's a guys' guy.  His entire Saturdays and Sundays are almost completely devoted to football, and this year many Fridays were too.  He wrestled and played football in high school, and I have been told by ex-boyfriends that he's a pretty awesome golfer (he even watches those boring tournaments on tv).  He can fix anything, create anything, lift anything AND he can tell you the plot of Bring it On: All or Nothing and all of the Cutting Edge movies.  

Many people tell my sister and I that we are never going to be able to find a man because of our dad.  They think that because he is so great, we are functioning with a handicap in the dating world.  I think that this is a horrible perspective on the situation.  We are lucky that we are able to have high standards and that we know through example that such a person can exist.  

My dad gave us each a charm for our Pandora bracelets for Christmas.  It says, "Forever a Princess".  It is one of my favorite gifts I received and a reminder that no matter what, I am a princess, even if some days he's the only one who knows it.  It's also a nice little reminder that Prince Charming is worth waiting for and my sister and I aren't too picky, but instead both deserve someone as wonderful as our dad.  

Anyone who tells someone that they're too picky is just stupid.  Forever a princess... mwah!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Making Merry



During the obligatory "I'm thankful for..." around the table on Thanksgiving this year, I shared that I was thankful for chocolate (and I meant it!).  My sister, immediately after I expressed thanks for a consumable, shared that she is thankful for people who help other people.  Tears filled her eyes, and it was a moment of raw emotion.  She meant it.  

My sister and I both have encounters with those less fortunate than ourselves through work.  We've both been witness to families and people dealing with homelessness.  This is what led her to her statement. The ability to help each other is what sets us above all other creatures on this planet.

I read A Christmas Carol every holiday season.  It is a reminder of what the season is about.  Dickens wanted his readers to take this time of year and think of each other as fellow passengers to the grave, no matter where one may fall on the social ladder.  The holiday season is not about a store running out of the color and size of that sequins skirt you "need", it's not about someone accidentally or purposely cutting in line, it's not about the salesperson who refuses to let you use all seven coupons.  

Instead of focusing on the commercial part, or how you've been slighted, try to think about what you do have.  There are people all around us who instead of fighting for the last neon bubble vest, are worried about where they're going to sleep tonight, or if they're going to be home to spend time with their family on the holiday because they have to work all the time.  

At the beginning of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge can't believe that those who aren't rich make merry at Christmas.  He doesn't think there is reason to make merry, when you don't have money.  Luckily, he sees that there is plenty of reason to make merry at Christmas, no matter how much you do or don't have.  We make merry at Christmas because of the people we love and care about, and because there are people who help other people, and that really makes all the difference.