Christmas 2017 - Roger, Lola, and Allie
This is about a Christmas Blessing for us, though starts off with our "Friendsgiving" over Thanksgiving, for others!
Every year since we moved to Arizona we have been doing a "Friendsgiving" for Thanksgiving - I loved the idea of it! - as every year there were some of the same folks, and some different folks who joined us. And those that were no longer 'with us', were in spirit. Mainly our guests who are friends and neighbors are widows or widowers, and either are not seeing family for a major Holiday, or do not have family in the same state. How fun it's been for 'me/us' to make that special dinner, have folks bring something that we all share, have some lively conversation, and then take home a plate of food and a small 'early' Christmas gift - it's different each year - one year it was small poinsettia plant, one year it was a small Panettone bread, etc.
Well, guess what happened for us, this year at Christmas - the 'shoe was on the other foot' - who knew?
Roger and I had tentative plans for Christmas Day that just fell apart, as they were planned by others and it was not something that gave me the Holiday Spirit. I couldn't see spending an afternoon in a casino gambling, and then going to a buffet line at the same small casino. Maybe I'm more traditional than I thought - HA!
So one evening, when walking Lola, I was talking with a neighbor who we have had over in the past for our annual Friendsgiving. She asked if we had plans for Christmas Day, and I said that we were going to meet others at a casino. I must not have sounded very excited about that prospect! So this kind soul invited us to her house, with a few others who were not with 'family', for an early dinner. It was w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l, and I cannot adequately express how it made my heart feel to be in a home with the Christmas Spirit and meeting others for the first time. A small intimate group always has the opportunity where everyone can chat, and share part of themselves - especially since most of us were meeting for the first time. Being invited as I viewed it, was more than special, it was meant to be . . .
So, for me, 'the shoe was on the other foot', and someone was kind enough to offer and include us in on their Christmas Day evening dinner, and that was a Blessing that I did not take for granted! Now I really understand how others feel when we invite them, and have them in our home and share our 'good cheer', 'good food', and 'being included and listened to', over a major Holiday.
Our Gift to Others in the past, was now Another's Gift to Us.
Doesn't get any better than that . . .
HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2018 - TO ALL of the Active Rainers!!
And, without a doubt, you are, too 
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