Real friends show love at Christmas.


 I am so very thankful for having true friends who really listen to and 'get' me. For Christmas, I received from my colleague via a Secret Santa (that locally is referred to as Pollyanna) gift exchange a"Dad Joke" travel mug. From two great friends, I received a gift card for the movies and a T-shirt that has a typewriter on it and says "I Make Stuff Up".  These are people who know me well and are very aware that I enjoy traveling, coffee, Dad jokes, writing, and going to the movies.

  It is a real blessing to have these thoughtful and caring people close by and so willing to share their holiday with me in this real way when 'family' is so distant both physically and socially. 

  As I close down 2023 and make my final arrangements for heading into 2024 there is a great deal of internal reshuffling of priorities. Do I spend my limited time energy and other resources on those people and things whom I really value or those who can't or won't bother to send even a text message when (now that I know for sure) I am doing everything I can to reach out ( thankful also for RCS messaging and Return receipts from USPS)?


Days until March 1: 63 
Days until September 23: 268

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