To Every Woman With a Husband

.... it's time for me to write a reminder.  I sort of apologize if this seems like I'm preaching, but I don't really apologize because it's my blog and I can write what I want.  :)

It's that time of year when gift-giving and receiving is a high priority.
I read a blog post last week by a woman whose husband didn't give her what she wanted for Christmas (but gave her something he really wanted) and she had a hissy fit.

The post gave me pause for thought.
And so now I'm writing down those thoughts.

Jim gave me some amazing gifts.  He hadn't earlier in our marriage .... he was clueless, and a bit thoughtless, truth be told, when it came to gift-giving.  Gifts weren't important to him so he didn't see them as important to anyone else.
He was wrong.
It took a few years, but he was a very astute learner.

I wish I could give back every one of those amazing and beautiful gifts if that would bring him back to me.
I wish I could donate everything I have .... to wake up and find that this nightmare was just that .... a nightmare.
But that's not going to happen.

I no longer care about gifts.
Truly.
I care about the people in my life (even if I don't call them!!).
I care about life, God, and my children.
I care about my family and my friends.
I care very much for every widow/widower in the world.

The kids asked for a list, so I did give them a few things that would be nice.
But I'm ok without any of them.
Especially if getting them will cause any amount of stress.
It's not worth it.

I don't need a single thing, nor do I desire anything.
C has been asking me what I want for Christmas.
I keep telling him, "Nothing."
And I don't.

I wish that Jim were here so that I could tell him that.
I wish I could say to him, "All I want for Christmas is you, and I've got that.  I'm good."

So, to each one of you women out there ..... the ones with a husband ......
please, please, PLEASE
be so very grateful for who you have.
And, because of who you have ..... for what you have.
You have a husband.
Your children have a father.
He may not be the best .... but he's yours.
He may not be perfect .... but neither are any of us.

Please take time this Christmas to tell your husband (or write it down for him) how very much you love him.
Tell him while you can.
Love him while you can.
Be grateful for him ..... while you can.

And then do the same thing with your children.
And your family.
And your friends.

Tell everyone how very much you appreciate them.
Even if you don't feel like it.
Do it anyway.
Most times .... actions and words will bring on feelings.  So act in love.

Do it  ..... in memory of Jim.

Thanks, Peeps .... and thanks for your prayers, comments, e-mails, etc. telling me that you're thinking of/praying for me and the kids this week.
I appreciate them.
Very much.