Enjoying Life's Greatest Gifts

I hope all of us enjoyed a wonderful weekend, celebrating our blessings and spending time with family.  Unfortunately, we hardly had time to begin digesting Thanksgiving dinner when every major department store and electronics chain was beckoning (screaming) at us to come and take advantage of their sales.  I'm not one to listen to the Siren's call, but I know that many others do, and enjoy a bundle of savings for their troubles.  I'm more of a slow paced gal.  I love to peruse a nearly empty shop, smile at other customers, say hello, make some small talk, and linger over my purchasing decisions. 

So what did I do this weekend, if not shop???  Well, in all honesty, I did go to one store on Friday--a crafts store that was doing a booming business.  I needed a scrap booking album, and found a great buy.  I picked up a couple of other sales as well, but I did it in Sharon mode: Stopped to chat with a couple of women who were also looking at the albums.  Browsed the store for gift ideas, carefully maneuvering around other customers, smiling and ignoring the traffic problems.  Stood in a   l--o--n--g   line, which moved rather quickly (thank you Michaels for having plenty of staff on hand) and effortlessly to the check out stands as I made small talk with the ladies behind me.  It was a pleasant, if crowded, experience.

What of the remainder of the long weekend?  I cleaned the house, borrowed movies from a neighbor, and caught up on my ironing.  Yes, I know, I'm old fashioned and I still iron.  But I got it done--all in the presence of Cary Grant.  It was great!!  On Sunday I attended worship services, and was happy that my husband was up to going, too.   However, the highlight of our weekend was spending some time with family as Lynn (my husband) got to visit with his sister at the naming and blessing of a newborn great nephew (kind of like a christening, but no baptism involved.  That comes later--at age 8).  Chubby little Cohen is the latest addition to a family of (now) four boys and a girl.  It is so exciting to see a wee one come into a home where love is strong and family ties are thoughtfully made and carefully secured to last forever.  

So, as I kicked off the Christmas shopping season, it was pretty devoid of shopping, but there was a lot of Christmas spirit, because the Christmas spirit is the spirit of Christ's love.  I felt a lot of that!   As I watched Cohen's big brother, Mason, tickle and admire him, I was reminded of what really matters. Black Friday deals come and go, but strong families and new babies are the best gifts anyone could ask for.