, it's simple.

Because you're special.

Let go of the hype that has
become the season.

Cut loose any pressure you may feel
to keep up with the gift giving.

Give yourself the gift of being
special and being yourself.

Holidays are very mellow for me.

With mom gone nearly 30 years now and
dad long ago out of touch, my sisters
and other family all at big distances,
I'm on my own.

I put up a fabulous tree; I'm a sucker
for sparkly lights and lots of gold
and silver ornaments.

My cats are generally wildly well behaved,
except this year, Twiggy (who now resembles
more closely Tubby) has become uniquely
enamored with the tree skirt and gets it
fully shifted about by jumping atop it and
tackling the ribbons that hold it together.

I'm planning to take myself to the movies
on Christmas eve.

Christmas day I'm going up to Highlands, NC
and enjoy a holiday lunch with friends.
My cabin is rented for both the week
of Christmas and New Year's and I couldn't
be happier.

I'm going to indulge time in a delicious
pile of reading I've been wanting an
excuse to get to.

I'll be putting the finishing touches on
a couple of cool programs I've cooked up
for 2015.

I'm going to sleep in since the gym will
be closed for a couple of days.

And I'll revel in the reason for the season
which for me is loving life and all those
in it.

I'm honored to have you in my community
and whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope
you take time to remember how awesomely
special you are, because you are.

Boatloads of HOLIDAY HUGS!

Melissa


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