Unsung Heroes

Tonight, when putting Danica to bed I read from a book called Thanks & Giving All Year Long.  It was one I picked up from DI probably 6+ months ago.  It has a bunch of short stories, poems, and songs.

I read her a poem today called, "Unsung Heroes"....

We love to say "I love you" to the folks we're mad about,
But forget to thank the objects that we just can't do without.
It's time we paid them back for all the things they help us do....
So, you small but useful things, I wrote this song for you!

My heart goes out to zippers, button, snappers, knots, and bows,
If it weren't for you, I'd freeze because I couldn't close my clothes.
And I couldn't take home things I buy without you, paper sack,
So I offer you my love, although you cannot love me back.

Thank you, plugs and stoppers - you hold water in our sinks.
And without you, corks and bottle caps, we'd surely spill our drinks.
Let's raise a cup to cups, and to the handles used to raise you.
I know you cannot hear me; still I'll sing this song to praise you.

If it weren't for you, galoshes, when it snowed I'd have cold toes,
And if I didn't have my hanky, well, I couldn't blow my nose
(Unless, of course, I blew it on my collar or my cuff),
So though you can't say "You're welcome," I can't thank you both enough.

I pledge my love to light bulbs, 'cause you help us light our planet,
And you stones who hold my beach towel down, I won't take you for granted!
Yes, thanks to all you things for all the things that you things do....
You are truly unsung heroes, and I sung this song for you!


I thought that poem was really cute, and it made me think about the little things I'm thankful for, but usually take for granted.  This season is a time a lot of people reflect on the different things they're thankful for.  There are certain things I am truly so grateful for that come to the front of my mind when I feel thankful.  But there is still more to be thankful for.

We complain about silly things and joke about First World Problems; those are some of the things we are taking for granted.  I'm resolving to spend some time thinking about the more "minor" things I'm thankful for too.  To catch myself when I'm grumbling and to stop and look around at the things I'm lucky to have and sincerely feel thankful for them.

Keep Christmas With You All Through The Year

I LOVE this time of year!  For me there's such excitement in the crisp and cold air!  I feel like a kid getting so excited for the upcoming holidays!

It was always the "rule" growing up that we could start celebrating Christmas after Thanksgiving, so I feel this little twinge of guilt when I start celebrating earlier than that.  But mostly, I just throw those thoughts out the window. 
And I'm allowed to; I'm an adult.

But, this year, I told myself to wait until Halloween was over.  So, that's what I did.  November 1st rolled around and the Christmas music came out... and has been here each day since. 
I've listened to a little Mariah, busted out my piano Christmas music, belted with Josh Groban and Michael Buble, reminised while the kids watched Small One (a movie I remember watching as a kid), and put on our Disney Christmas Sing Along dvds. I've decided to buy the piano music to Muppets Christmas Carol, and I can't wait to pull out our life size fake fireplace!
(We make a new one each year... below is the one from our 1st or 2nd year of marriage)

This season livens many emotions and feelings in me.  I feel like the Christmas season speeds by, so I feel very justified celebrating Christmas whenever I want to.  I want to savor the season and I have sooo many movies to watch and goodies to make before the New Year.
It's almost like the feelings I have during this time cannot be controlled.  They take over my body. Ha! And while I dislike many reasons stores bring out decorations so early, I get overjoyed at even a brief glance at them. 
My body knows what this time of year brings.
The friendships, good will toward men, food, family, kindness, service, Christ centered thoughts all around, beautiful music, fun with kids, great movies, seeing excitement in others eyes.

And I'm now realizing I basically combine Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Come November, I listen to Christmas music, but a lot of my thoughts are focused on feeling thankful.  I inturn, have the want to serve. December speedily approaches and I tune a lot of my feelings onto helping others and the joy that can be found around me.  Because of that, I feel very thankful for family and friends.  I think of Christ and think about how thankful I am for his birth, life, and sacrifices.  I feel very thankful at Christmastime.

I always thought it might seem like I'm skipping over Thanksgiving, or in the least taking a break from Christmas by focusing on Thanksgiving traditions for a couple or few days, and jumping back into Christmas.  Of course, I always knew I was thinking about the spirit of Thanksgiving throughout the month, but was confused because I was celebrating Christmas at the same time.  Really, I've come to realize that I like to celebrate the spirit of both holidays together.  So really I'm not only extending Christmas, like I originally thought, I'm extending the spirit of Thanksgiving too.

Seeing my kids enjoy this time of year is better than the joy I remember feeling during this season in years past.  And that's saying a lot :)

Next on the list: Get everyone pumped up and dancing to The Beatmas turned up on high!


Keep Christmas With You
This clip is the reason for the title
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd5PEVKuAro