The Bruce E. Simmons Portal

I just wanted to take a moment to think, remember and appreciate.

In the holiday season we sometimes get caught up with things we’re supposed to do or “have to do” and sometimes we forget what a special privilege it is to be able to have these responsibilities.

Of Money and Lifestyles : We are lucky. Even when times are “tight,” our tight is still so much better than that of many people around the world and even some here in the United States.

So for a moment, think about being blessed to be where you’re at in life.

Of Family and Friends:  Have you been a little grumbly, even silently, about the arrangements and the travel or putting up with the in-laws for the holidays as your personal schedule is disrupted for a few days?  After all is said and grumbled, don’t forget to say thank you and to tell your family and friends how much you appreciate having them in your life.

Sad Tales That Made Me Think To Write This

- One friend of mine, his father went down into the cellar to get some firewood and he never returned. When his mother went down to check on him, she found him sitting in a chair, passed away.

- Brittany Murphy started her day out like any other and now her family and friends have a hole in their hearts where the living spirit of Brittany once resided.

- A friend of mine lost his life due to a structural failure in the airplane he was flying.

- A high school friend of mine met his time with a drunk wrong-way driver.

- And as I’m sure many of us can say, I lost a a number of friends in an instant on 9/11. For no apparent reason.

We never know when ours or our family or friend’s times will be up. And though it seems as if it never will be, it’s an inevitable bit of timing we actively ignore.

Now is the time: Forget later. Later doesn’t work if something happens before then. I skipped calling my father for a few weeks and now I’m left wondering if he’ll get out of the hospital with some unknown malady right now.  The doctors have no clue what assails him.

So even if we’re grumbly, it’s better to be able to be grumbly than the other options.

‘Tis the season folks: Thank you all for touching my life.  For those strangers coming by and reading this, I hope this resonates in some fashion.  For my friends and family, thanks for being in my life and letting me in yours…  even if it annoys the living crap out of you at times!  Thanks none the less.

Let’s all be grateful we’re here now, enjoying this holiday time together with family, friends and peers. (Yes, even you Bobby!)  Take the time.  Don’t put off what can take a moment.

Happy Holidays.