TIDINGS AND SPAGHETTI OF GREAT JOY...

Tonight I opened my fridge and scanned the empty shelves to see what I could make for dinner, in hopes that perhaps some delicious option would magically appear before my eyes. Of course no such thing occured. So I went to my cabinet to find a jar of Giada Marinara sauce that I'd boughten months ago and some pasta that's probably been kickin' around for a few years, this is what happens when you're rarely home, and the thought of going to the grocery store causes you a near anxiety attack, and you have very lil' culinary skillz and basically all you can make is Spaghetti and Frozen Lasagna. So, what I'm trying to say is that it looked like Spaghetti was on the menu for our Sunday night dinner.

So I boiled some hot water and cooked the pasta for about ten minutes, while I let the sauce simmer in a sauce pan. I tested one of the noodles to see if it was ready, it was "al dente" so I was ready to pour it into the strainer, and that's when it happened. Just after I poured the pasta into the strainer and the haze of warm steam cleared I lifted up the pot to find a few stragglers clinging to the inside, I went to reunite them with the rest of the noodle fam in the strainer, when I stopped suddenly as I got a closer look... and there it was, spelt out perfectly in spaghetti was the word "JOY". I shouted "Dave! Come here you have to see this, " he was moderately impressed, not as excited as I was, but he was happy that I was so happy to find this strange little reminder of what this season is all about...

Today I got to thinking about Christmas, and what it really is all about. There is one thing for certain, there are a lot of people in this great big world, people with all kinds of ideas, opinions, feelings and passionate beliefs. It's a beautiful thing, however sometimes this can inhibit us from sharing our true feelings in fear of offending someone else who might believe or think otherwise. Of course then there is the opposite where one feels the need to attack and be forceful with their beliefs looking to argue, debate or create contention.

It is quite okay with me when someone has another point of view, as a matter of fact I find it fascinating to talk with people about their beliefs and why they do believe what they believe. As a matter of fact it happens all the time, Personally I don't find it threatening, It broadens my perspective and helps me realize that despite our different points of view, we actually share a lot of common ground, and it also sheds light on those things that perhaps I was ignorant about or didn't quite understand, and reminds me to live with less judgement towards others. I feel it is critical to show respect and sensitivity to one another when it comes to the those things we hold sacred in our hearts, even or especially when they are different from my own. This being said, I also find it important to live authentically. To respectfully live according to what you believe and know, without fear and without apology.

I believe in Christmas. Santa Claus and Noble firs, jingle bells and shopping till we drop are all quite fun and super duper, don't get me wrong, I'm really into it, but at the end of the day, this whole thing started because of the birth of Jesus Christ. Some believe he was merely a good man, Some believe him to be the son of God. Personally, I believe in him. His life and message was to "Love one Another" and he exemplified that message perfectly, I'm pretty sure that's why we're here, to love eachother, that's ultimately what we're supposed to learn from all this craziness that we're unable to comprehend here on Earth. Not easy, but I'm tryin' to learn. His birth was a symbol of hope, of pure love and of course, JOY... tidings of GREAT JOY... and that is the Christmas I believe in.

Linus tells the story better then just about anyone else...