My Christmas Wish List

1. I pray for peace on earth, but especially in Darfur and Iraq.

2. I pray for joy to the world, but especially in homes where laughter hasn't been heard in a long time.

3. I hope to have time to sing Christmas carols with Steve and the kids at the piano.

4. I long to listen to the Sarah McLachlan Wintersong CD, the Rob Mathes Christmas CD, and the Newsong Christmas shoes CD with the family while eating cookies and sipping hot cocoa or tea.

5. I hope to receive more photos of friends around their Christmas trees, on vacation, wherever. Lots of friends in lots of photos.

6. I hope and pray that my three brothers, their wives and ex-wives, and my nieces and nephews are safe, healthy, and happy, wherever they may be. Yup, ours is as mixed-up a family as anyone else's.

7. I hope and pray that Jill's Christmas Eve party goes well, that all of her family is able to attend, that her mother won't drive her crazy, and that she gets to actually eat some of the food she prepares.

8. I hope and pray that Virginia receives many gifts that she loves from her husband, children, and children in law.

9. I pray that Alejandra, Karen, Amy, Jean, Katie, Michele, Raquel, Clare, Barbara, Jen, Susie, Pamela, Judy, Moneesha, Leonie, Maya, Nancy (both Nancys), Ana, Estela, Manolo, Itiel, Eduardo, Antonio, Matthew, Daniel, Kristiana, and every one else who has ever read and commented on this blog will feel the great love and gratitude that I have to each of you for your love and support this year. I would LOVE for all of us to get together someday so that you could meet each other.

10. That has been a wish/fantasy of mine for many years: that all the people I love most in the world would meet each other.

11. I hope that everyone everywhere will receive their gifts with joy and gratefulness for having been remembered and loved.

12. I wish for safe travel for everyone driving, flying, riding, and walking to the homes of friends and loved ones during this holiday season.

13. I pray for peace to reign in our hearts, in our homes, in our souls, and in our world.

14. I pray for all those who are not able to celebrate Christmas openly because of political or religious persecution. I pray that they will see The Star and rejoice with exceeding great joy.

15. Finally, I hope, pray, and plan to live under the conviction that nothing we eat in the next 36 to 48 hours will count against us in the great battle of the bulge.

Merry Christmas to all.
And to all a great night.

Hugs and kisses.
Abrazos y besos.
Mille abbraccione.