Thursday, November 30, 2006

Thursday 13: My Holiday List

With two exceptions that occurred many years ago, I love Christmas. I love giving gifts, baking cookies, dropping off little christmas tree cakes to my neighbors, smelling evergreen pine all around me, our Christmas eve tradition with Mike and Clara and Dani and the most precious sleepover here with Jess and Mike. I love the thought that goes into my Christmas stocking, the same Christmas morning breakfast we have had for 25 years, our holiday party when we invite everyone we know from all walks of life. I love the fact that sooner or later I will slow down and realize I am very lucky.

I can tell you what I don't love in just a few words: i hate shopping at malls, I hate packing and mailing all the presents that must go to Colorado Springs and Seattle and Tucson. I hate that I fight the clock to find any semblance of rhythm and slowing down. I hate that the world is so violent. I hate that any child wakes up on Christmas morning without loving parents and presents under a tree.

Here's my holiday list. I hope I get everything I need.

1. Baby Ryan: I hope you come into the world perfect in every way. I know your parents will feel love they cannot even imagine as soon as they see and smell you. I am planning breakfast menus of m & m's and ice cream for when you are older.

2. I hope a publisher picks up this novel I have just finished and I am paid a sufficient advance so I can get it written to an A or A- level within 3-4 months.

3. I hope Ces and I do more words and colors together.

4. Godess Santa: could you help me figure out the role of money in our lives? I know we're not waiting for some far away future to live our lives and live generously but can I really believe in abundance? And do I need to supplement my writing with a day job?

5. I hope jb shines the nightlight in the magic cottage exactly the way she wants to and I will be lucky enough to see and swoon over her fantastic artwork.

6. May I (finally) decide if the tough-love approach of my book agent is good for me or move on and out to someone else who understands I am more delicate than meets the eye.

7. Sign me up for a photography course.

8. I pray the Iraqi people are given the support they need to rebuild their country and live in peace, after my country destroyed their homeland for all the wrong reasons.

9. Please transport me to Weight Watchers and Pilates and get me in shape for once and for all. In my heart, I am too cute to be anything but.

10. Protect my family and friends from anyone and anything that does not help them prosper.

11. I hope for a personal shopper who will stack my closet with the coolest most fashionable clothes.

12. Godess Santa: I would also like someone nearby who can play the guitar so I can host an occasional sing a-long in my living room.

13. I want a flow, a rhythm, a guiding force that helps me live without so many jolts and jagged edges. I don't expect this all the time but I'll be thankful for a little predictable rhythm that governs my days.


And how about you? I'd love to see your holiday list. The singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter says,
"It's too much to expect, but it's not too much to ask"

15 comments:

  1. #7 May I join you?

    #8 I do the same. You know the song “Grown Up Christmas list?” One day I believe with all the prayers there’ll be
    “No more lives torn apart
    That wars will never start
    And time will heal our hearts
    Every man will have a friend
    That right will always win
    And love will never end”

    #9 In my head, I’m a great singer…

    #10 Ditto

    #11 Where do I fill up an application?

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  2. A beautiful Thursday 13 list KJ. it just shows that even when asking things for yourself you still think of others. Your generosity shines through. I can see you truly love Christmas. That is so wonderful. I love the memory of all my childhood Christmases when even I as a kid looked forward to Christmas Day not because of the presents (because we did not have many presents) but because I will be allowed to stay up as late as I can tolerate.

    I love to imagine your family having a great time on Christmas day and your beautiful house with bright yellow walls welcoming your friends and guests with the aroma of Christmas in the air.

    I hope you get everything on your list, indeed, including peace in Iraq and the safe return of our soldiers.

    Too long America has policed the world. We always come to everybody's rescue at the expense of our own citizens. Let countries take responsibility for their own shortcomings, let citizens of countries topple their own dictators and let them create their own martyrs. For too long Americans have shed the blood of their sons and daughters in wars liberating countries from opression. It is a new generation, we have seen successes of People Power. Let those countries rise above their own turmoil, let them take responsibility for their own actions and inactions, their own apathy, ignorance and fear. Let them have their own Patrick Henry declaring "Give me liberty or give me death."

    I am looking forward to making more words and colors with you.

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  3. maria: yes you can join me! you could teach the course! i like the poem very much. thank you alot.

    liz: a year around the world. ahhh. alex would love it, btw!

    ces: staying up as late as you can tolerate: what could be better?! thanks for thinking i am generous.

    i like your analysis for peace,ces. i agree with most of it. (except, you won't be surprised to know, i do not think my country invaded iraq to liberate its people. i wish it were so, i wish it had been so. my heart goes out to those families who cannot even cross the street without risking their lives. and to our soldiers and their families. what a mess.)

    oh, now why did i say that to my good friend? honestly, i am incorrigible. this is why i was so often in high school detention.

    maybe dialogue among friends is good even if it's hard....

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  4. You know, I should not really let my political opinions interfere with one's Christmas wish. So will you please delete my post or I can delete it myself.

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  5. I am so with you on number 13. And I'm looking forward to another hootenany come march!

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  6. Oh, I love this, KJ!! Your heart is so big and beautiful and warm and I love it! I'll join in the 13 in a day or two ... xoxo

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  7. Lovely. Sorry I don't have time to say more right now, but lovely. And you finished it three days early?

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  8. kj,

    great list. i hope you get all (or most) of it.

    i found #9 so funny yet so true. i kind of feel like that sometimes, only about my age. i feel like i'll stay stuck at 25 inside.

    and personal shopper? as long as maria and i are here, you won't have a problem.

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  9. note from kj: i haven't deleted the anonymous comment above because its message is about peace. i figure that kind of talk can never hurt.

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  10. Our country is trying to help their country rebuild with a government and not a dictator. Our service men and women are not destroying Iraq. They are infact building buildings like schools and hospitals for the people. It is too bad that our countries new media does not cover that story, or any positive thing. If you talk to the people who are doing the construction for the people or Iraq, maybe you would change your mind.

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  12. #1 made me cry! I love that he's Ryan--it's my brother's name--watch out! All the Ryans in my life are big handfuls :)

    I'll join in on #7 with you! My Christmas wish is to pool some $$ for a new camera.

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