If you are fortunate enough to have your family whole and near, rejoice! Celebrate and count your blessings. Family is the most important relationship on earth aside from our relationship to God. Whatever you do, don't take these moments for granted. Cherish them as there are many who are not able to be with their families due to military, law enforcement, hospital staf, or other service commitments; illness; death; and many other reasons.
If you have lost a loved one and you are struggling to celebrate anything, let alone Christmas or the coming new year, I will be posting a blog for you next week. I hope that it will help those of you who are struggling to survive the holiday season after a loss.
Need some facts about December? As always, here are some interesting things to ponder on:
1. On December 7, 1941, The United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese planes which killed more than 2,300 Americans.
2. On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed.
3. December 27th is National Chocolate Day.
4. On December 3, 1967, the first heart transplant was completed.
5. On December 14, 1791, the Bill of Rights was passed.
6. National Read a New Book Month
7. December is the last month in the Gregorian calendar. Its name is based on the Latin term for ten.
8. In the Roman calendar, December was the tenth month until the addition of January and February at the beginning of the year.
9. December has the shortest daylight hours and marks the beginning of winter.
10. December provides the longest days in Southern Hemisphere, as it is the beginning of summer.
11. Charitable giving in December alone accounted for 19% of the total in 2015.
Charitable organizations with high ratings:
National Council on the Aging (NCOA)
https://www.charitywatch.org/ratingsandmetrics.php?charity_id=503
Meals on Wheels Association of America
https://www.charitywatch.org/ratingsandmetrics.php?charity_id=733
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
https://www.charitywatch.org/ratingsandmetrics.php?charity_id=117
Here's a cute little quote that just about sums up the month of December:
“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon.
December is here before its June.
My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”
– Dr. Seuss
Reflect upon the last twelve months, are you where you want to be? Have you accomplished your goals from January? Where do you want to be twelve months from today? Have you started on your SMART goals for 2017? Do you celebrate any unusual holidays during the month of December?
XOXO