I know Christmas is over, but...

Many years ago when he was very young, my baby boy, Michael, was wrapping a Christmas gift for someone. At his (then) tender age, he considered it an expression of himself to "artistically" wad the wrapping paper around the gift, put a little tape and a ribbon on it, and call it a day.

Because I knew who's gift he was wrapping, I suggested to him that he might take a little more care in wrapping it, because if he were receiving a gift from that person, it would be lovingly and meticulously wrapped, and presented to him as a near work of art, and tried to impress upon him that sometimes the care and affection we put into something isn't to necessarily reflect our own desires, but rather to somehow recognize and show our appreciation for the love or care the other person would have put in it for us.

Pictured here is beautiful decoration for my tree, given to me by a loving friend who doesn't celebrate Christmas (at least, not usually) but because of our friendship, sent it to honor our friendship and my celebration.

It means a lot to me, on so many levels, and is one of the purist offerings of affection and appreciation I've ever received. 

To my friend, thank you for your affection and friendship.  I know you didn't expect any such recognition, but I wanted you to know how deeply appreciative I am of your gift, and that I will treasure you -- and it -- for all time.  May your upcoming year be as beautiful and kind and loving...as you are.

And that acknowledges -- in book --  yet another  Christmas Miracle.
 

Good day, my friends,
Kelvin

Friendship

"Friendship is the inexpressible comfort
of feeling safe with a person,
having neither to weigh thoughts
nor measure words."

I hate losing friends. It causes a disturbance in my force.

Losing a friend to death is sad. Losing a friend to misunderstanding... is sadder.

Kelvin

Hi, How Are ya? I Didn't Want Anything!

Every once in a while I get the urge to call somebody. Actually, occasionally I get the urge to call EVERYBODY, but that's usually not practical. But one of the things I like to do is call someone -- friend, sometimes someone I've worked with or collaborated with, or who's life I've made miserable with job or business related issues -- and just say, "Hi... How are ya? I didn't want anything, no work to do. You just crossed my mind and I wanted to say hello and wish you a happy day."

The first time I did that I thought we'd have to administer CPR because, for that person, when I was on the phone, it almost certainly meant "a problem" needed to be handled, or an issue resolved, or some other stress inducing factor was in play. So the phone rang, they saw my number, took a deep breath, prepared for the payload, "Hello, Kelvin..." and I said, "Hi Jill (not their real name) . I didn't really want anything. I figured I'd call you at least once when I didn't have any work for you to do, just to say hi and thank you for all you've done over the months to help me. You've always been great." And Jill (still not their real name) said, "Really?" I said, "Uh huh." They said, "Oh... wow... how nice. Thank you, I appreciate that."

I do that routinely now; not to the same person, of course, but every once in a while I just a call someone, even if it means I leave a message on their voice mail, and say "Hi... I don't want anything. You don't need to call back. I just wanted to say hi. Hope you're having an awesome day."

A phone call is more personal than an email -- and you know how I love email -- but if email is all you got then that works. But sometimes... your human voice saying "hi... I was thinking about you" has a more healing effect than anything you could possibly write, so every once in a while... just call.

Try it. You'll feel good about it... and they'll feel grrrreat !

Have an awesome day.

Kelvin