Merry Christmas
December 22, 1997
Today is my last day of work until next year. Isn't that a fun sentence? Yes, it's a bit hackneyed, a little cliche. So what? It still gets me excited! The rest of the year left available to stay at home with Brigid and Lisa, to write, to see the rest of my family, and--of course--to rework my web site! Which brings me to one of my "accomplishments" this past weekend. Check out my photo gallery section. I've finally finished working on Brigid's section. At least it's finished enough to release--I suppose I'll always be adding to it. The photos here represent the first five years or so of her life. It was great fun to go back and choose exactly what to show you. And heartbreaking. So much material was there. So many thoughts and memories. Some things like this make you feel old--like watching the "Legends" documentaries on MTV, you know? Certain anniversaries. Seeing people who used to be kids. Watching the basketball players you cheered in college retire from the pros. Time passes like a cat's walk, silently, without leaving reminders that it was there. These events are often the only reminders we have of our life progessing onward . . . I mean other than the pains in our knees when we first wake up! But looking at photos of Brigid doesn't carry that weight. Seeing Brigid as a newborn, remembering her silly baby grin, how she used to "kiss" my nose, the naps she used to take in her automatic rocker--it makes my heart swell. It makes me think about things that have no answer. How does she work? What does she think? What does she remember? Why was I lucky enough to have her in my life? The Christmas season is upon us. Brigid and I went shopping this weekend. It was crowded :). But instead of focusing on the rush of people, I decided to spend the day with my little girl. I gave her pennies and dimes at all the Salvation Army places. I let her watch TV screens as we went past. When we got tired, we just plopped down against the nearest wall and watched people. We had cookies. Half-way through the day, Brigid decided she was a bird. She flitted around various stores with me, twittering and fluttering her "wings". By the end of the day I was exhausted. But it was among the most fun I've had doing christmas shopping ever. Then we all sat down in front of the TV and watched It's a Wonderful Life. Sorry if that's trite. But it's a beautiful movie, and one of my favorites. Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you enjoy the season. But mostly, I wish you the opportunity to take the time to enjoy those people around you, to see who they really are, and to love them more for it.  Daily Persistence is © Ron Collins |
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