A Time for Gifts

Certainly this would be a good forum to share all the wonderful gifts that were given and received this holiday season.  But that isn't what is on my mind today.  I feel like I have been given a most unusual gift recently.  And I believe the Giver of the gift knew exactly what I was needing, and felt I was ready to receive this extraordinary experience.

I believe I was given a chance to step outside myself for a few moments and look at my life from a different perspective.  I was able to see and analyze where I am and the direction my life is heading.  Very humbling in so many ways.  No, I haven't had an "out-of-body" experience, though in some ways it feels like I have.  For the first time in a long time I have looked objectively at the things I do, the things I am preoccupied with, the things I think about, the "place" I am at, and most importantly, its relationship to where I want to be.

Is there a better time of year to receive this poignant reminder?  As I approach the new year, I am determined to pursue the changes I would like to see, so if (and when) I get another honest, objective glimpse of myself, perhaps I will be more comfortable with what I see.

Lost in the Shuffle

My husband loves to make us feel guilty.  "Oh don't bother about my birthday.  It's fine.  No big deal."

But would we dare to really do that?  No way!  He loves to feel like he has gotten the short end of the stick by having a Christmas Eve birthday.  But honestly, the family always gathers for his birthday.  There is always great food and goodies around for his birthday.  There is always a big party for his birthday.

So complain if you want.  But you know we always try very hard to make you feel special.  And this year will be no different.

Last year we even took you to Vero Beach, Florida for your birthday and then went to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.  With your birthday badge on, you were wished a Happy Birthday by every single employee of the Happiest Place on Earth.

Just sayin'.

The Stockings are Hung

What was I thinking?!  Last year, I decided we needed new Christmas Stockings.  We have had some new additions to our family and I wanted everyone to match. 

I found some great double-sided fabric.  Beautiful.  I decided I could make my own pattern.  I had access to a sewing factory, complete with a professional embroidery machine.  These were going to be awesome.

The results?  Quite comical-looking, really LONG stockings.

Aside from their ridiculous proportions, they take  A LOT of stuff to fill them!  Poor Santa....

Here is another picture.  See?  they are bigger than my grandbaby!

Missing the Magic

For me, part of the magic of Christmas has always been having snow.  And for the past 25 years of living in Oregon, the White Christmases have been RARE.   As much as I love living in this beautiful part of the world, when Christmastime rolls arounds, part of my heart pines for nonexistent snow.

This year in particular, I seem to be thinking more of Christmases Past, when the magic was turned on by a dusting from heaven.  It seems more difficult to recapture the magic of the season somehow.

I spent my childhood in Utah and Kansas and Wyoming and Idaho.  I grew up knowing firsthand the charms of the snow.  I know it comes with headaches, too.  But that doesn't prevent me from dreamin' of , well, you know....

Searching for Meaning.

I apologize to my old-timers, but I have a desire to re-visit an old blogpost today.  It was written last December, and as I read through it, I felt its message was something I needed to hear again.  Enjoy.



I have been intrigued lately with the word "meaning". Why is it so coveted? Why does it seem so elusive? How is it possible to transcend the mundane everyday drudgery simply by being able to attach "meaning" to it?


This word keeps popping up all over the place. "Man's Search for Meaning"; "Does the song you sing have enough meaning..."; the TRUE meaning of Christmas; see what I "mean"? ;-)

In Victor L. Frankl's book, he quotes the words of Nietzsche: "He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How." The root of his survival while in a Nazi concentration camp was his ability to attach meaning to his life and retain a hope for a happy life after that bleak experience was behind him. And as terrible as that experience was, it reinforced for him WHAT was truly meaningful to him. Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure, or a quest for power or wealth; it is truly a quest for meaning. Remarkably and perhaps as one of God's greatest gifts it is our responsibility to find the unique meaning of our own lives.

"Frankl saw three possible sources for meaning: in work (doing something significant), in love (caring for another person), and in courage during difficult times." (from the Foreword to Man's Search for Meaning)

You know, when I entitled my blog, Ardith's Quest, I think I was subconsciously defining my desire to search for meaning in my life. The last 26 years have been spent primarily focused on my family and that has provided wonderful meaning for my life. As my children have grown and are leaving home, now I can see that my quest is to find other sources of meaning. What will be my reason for getting out of bed in the morning? What will be my impetus for self-improvement?

Some of the greatest questions ever posed illustrate the universal quest for meaning: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Thankfully the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its restored fullness has provided me with those answers. The challenge of enduring to the end is where my quest for meaning will be most "meaningful" and necessary.I have made it this far, but in reality I am (hopefully) only at the halfway mark of my life on earth. What will provide meaning for the next 46 years? Will the song in my heart have enough meaning to be shared with others? I hope so. I feel like the Lord has blessed me with some gifts that He intends for me to use productively, and ultimately I will be held accountable to Him for their use. Perhaps it is time to find a shovel, remember where I buried my talents, and see if I can uncover, dust off, and use those gifts to add some meaning to my life and to others.

May you and your family enjoy a meaningful Christmas. May you find meaningful activities, and may your traditions bespeak the true meaning of this sacred holiday season.

My Own Fezziwig

The Dicken's Classic, A Christmas Carol, has become part of our lives.  Every year there seems to be a new addtion to the extensive catalog of Christmas Carol versions.  And what a wonderful reminder of the impact of internalizing the Spirit of Christmas, as Scrooge gives us examples of how to act, and how not to act.

Many characters from the story have been brought to life by memorable actors, and round out the story of Scrooge's exploratory journey.  A favorite of mine is Mr. Fezziwig.  As you'll recall, he is Ebenezer's kind and jolly former employer, who throws a big Christmas party for his employees.  He epitomizes the generous soul who knows how to treat those who work for him.

Every day of every year I have the opportunity to see a Fezziwig in action, and particularly enjoy observing from the sidelines during the Annual Summit Sportswear Christmas Potluck Luncheon, which just happened to be today.  This is the time that my husband hands out Christmas Bonuses to his 100+ employees and announces the winners of the door prizes. This is followed by an extensive potluck buffet, lavish with authentic dishes from the Russian, Asian, and Mexican people who work there.  Brian and I contribute hams and au gratin potatoes every year.  They seem very plain and "American" next to the exotic dishes that the others bring.

It is evident that Brian inspires loyalty and fosters good feelings in his factory.  These sweet, hardworking people love to show their appreciation to their kind boss by giving humble gifts.  And they often extend their kindness to me, "The Boss's Wife".  This year I came home with a bowl full of real handmade tamales, given to me by a sweet little lady.  From her limited English, I could tell she was offering something which made her very proud to give because she had heard that I love tamales.

I feel so blessed.  I have a husband that works hard to take care of not only our family, but he feels such a responsibility to help maintain these good workers and their families, by providing them with stable, secure jobs.  These people work so hard at really difficult jobs.  I have bent over a sewing machine for eight hours and know the aches and pains it causes.  And they do it every day for years and years.

Blessings come in unusual packages.  Sometimes they are savory bundles wrapped up in corn husks.  Sometimes they are in a compassionate hardworking husband. 

I came home today from the party with a Christmas bonus of my own.  After having shipped his order, Brian found himself with an extra top from a Nike Track program.  Hmmmmm, looks like my size.  Pretty cute, huh?

Thanks, Mr. Fezziwig.

Right This Very Minute!

The fog is lifting.  Gray skies are gonna clear up.  I'm ready to put on a happy face. 

Christmas has been trying to come, and I have been keeping it at arm's length.  No more!  There is a song that invites the merriment of Christmas for me, like no other.  I tried playing it on the piano a week or so ago, and it just bombed.  It bombed because it requires pep and vigor and a quick tempo, all things which I was lacking.  My fingers could barely move at the pace it needed.

It is the song:  We Need a Little Christmas; one of my favorites as a child when my family would sing "carols at the spinet".

So I will be trying it again, certain that I am ready now to fill this quiet house with music.  I will be humming the peppy tune and reviewing the words that are so uplifting and encouraging.  I think I need a little Christmas now.

Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.

Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;

For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.