Well, It's Christmas Eve...!

Now, in spite of my being Hermit like in my ramblings, I find myself with more friends than I've ever had in my life!

Many of these friends I've never met. Many I have! Many are from countries that I've never been to, share customs entirely different than ours, may not even recognize the same day as a holiday in the manner we do.

That doesn't really matter, does it? If you consider someone a friend, then they are a friend! If you call someone your friend, then they are a friend!

In my way of thinking, a person doesn't have to consider you a friend for them to be your friend. It's nice, but not always the case!

My way of doing things is a lot different than most folks. I keep my own counsel about things in this world. I can be alone without being lonely.

I don't have to have a crowd. I don't have to have a holiday to feel joy! I don't even have to have approval from someone else to be myself and have a good time!

I think that if I can make at least one person smile from time to time, then I will know more joy in my heart than any holiday could bring, regardless of it's name!

The warmth of a friend's smile is more warming to me than any fireplace could ever offer! So, that's what I wish for all of you this Christmas...a happy heart, a warm smile, and a knowledge that, like it or not...you DO indeed have at least one person in this world that considers you special! That considers you a friend!

Oh, and here are some quotes about Christmas that I thought you might enjoy!

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
Calvin Coolidge

Christmas is, of course, the time to be home - in heart as well as body.
Garry Moore

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!
Charles Dickens


He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
Roy L. Smith


I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things. It's about being good to one another, it's about the Christian ethic, it's about kindness.
Carrie Fisher

There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.
Erma Bombeck


Time always seems long to the child who is waiting - for Christmas, for next summer, for becoming a grownup: long also when he surrenders his whole soul to each moment of a happy day.
Dag Hammarskjold


When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?
Gilbert K. Chesterton


Christmas renews our youth by stirring our wonder. The capacity for wonder has been called our most pregnant human faculty, for in it are born our art, our science, our religion.
Ralph W. Sockman


Now, let's get some fresh coffee...and enjoy the smell of cookies baking and the warmth of true friendship!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and every one of you...!