Five days till Thanksgiving. Shopping local this year. A winery for lunch. Christmas Tree on Saturday. It seems like this just happened, but it was a year ago. Last year I was so pleased to have attained senior citizen status…now I am on my way to 70…

Jonathon and I were talking with our friend at Giant City Lodge and he mentioned that he would turn 66 this year and Jonathon said, ‘Just like Dad.’ Then when he heard that Jonathon was almost 40 he noted that his daughter is the same age. We were happy to be on the right side of the dirt…

The Holidays provide us pause. We have time to reflect on our past and our future. We think about what we might do differently in the New Year. Santa Claus gives joy to millions at the simple thought of him. He provides gifts for all of the good girls and good little boys. A lot of us do not receive gifts often. We travel through the year with many dark clouds just over our heads. What will we eat for dinner…can we stay warm in the cold…who will love us…

John Lennon told us in song, ‘So it is Christmas and what have you done…another year older and a new one just begun.’ Soon the bell of life tolls. We hear the small ring before it gets louder and louder and louder. We deny the sound but we know it. We want to spend another Christmas with our loved ones…how will they proceed without us…who will drink the Dirty Martinis?

‘So you have arrived at your destination,’ He said.

‘I have no luggage and nothing in my pockets, You said.

‘Here is the list of those who you helped on their journey,’ Doorman said.

‘The list is blank…it is a blank sheet of paper…this must be a mistake,’ He said.

‘No mistake…the lack of record is accurate…please take a chair in the Waiting Room….’ Doorman said.