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The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

December 25th, 2010

I guess every family has their own traditions regarding Christmas and the holiday season. Certainly reading Clement Moore’s poem “Twas the night before Christmas” also known as “A Visit from St. Nicholas” is read on Christmas Eve in homes all over the world in many languages.

In our family, we read aloud both “Twas the night before Christmas” and another special short story, The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry. To me, it symbolizes all that is Christmas… all that is embodied in the giving of gifts, regardless of ones personal beliefs.  I offer it here to my readers. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays as you please.  Enjoy!

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Happy Thanksgiving from Costa Rica

November 26th, 2009

moooI really miss Thanksgiving!

There are two or three US holidays that are not celebrated  here… well more if you add all those goofy ones like President’s day where nobody does anything special.  Of them all, Thanksgiving is the worst for me maybe followed by the 4th of July. No fireworks.

First, everyone is working on a Thursday… everyone meaning everyone in my family who would normally be invited to celebrate, so we celebrate it on the following Saturday.

Turkey is easy to buy, but ludicrously expensive.  I cannot buy sage here, required for traditional sage and onion dressing. I also cannot find rutabagas! I know rutabaga is not for everyone, but it is an integral part of my family tradition.  One nice person brought me **ONE** from the USA a couple of days ago. I am hiding it.  We have maybe 8 people coming Saturday and one is not enough to split 8 ways.

I miss the Thanksgiving day TV stuff too.  Football, parades, you know, all the things we do.

It may be the only day when I really miss living in the USA.

Worse, today is the day my wife is having surgery. Just another Thursday.  That was at 7 AM this morning, supposedly no biggie, maybe 45 minutes, but no one has called to let me know she is OK.  It is 10:30 AM I am worried and after posting this, I am heading out to the hospital to find out what is going on.

To all my readers… I have much to be thankful for, and I wish all you you the very happiest of Thanksgivings!

I especially wish a happy Thanksgiving to anyone serving in the armed forces who cannot be with their families.  You are very special people, too many times not appreciated, but by me, you are very appreciated.

Be well and be safe.