Sappho Speaks: Twas The Night Before Christmas

What Would Sappho Say?

Lectori Salutem! or L.S. (Greetings to the Reader!)

So... here it is, Christmastime 2009, just one week before the eve of the new decade. It is hard to believe it has been ten years since we were all dancing about singing “Two Thousand Zero Zero Party’s Over with Out Of Time... Cause Tonight We’re Going to Party Like It’s 1999”.

I was talking to a woman in the doctor’s office who knew Christmas Eve was on a Thursday but asked what day New Year’s fell on. Now I don’t know if she is an exception to the rule but let me just put it out there for everyone. No matter what year it is, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on the same day and the Eve’s fall on the same day as well – in case you really never noticed. It’s not something that is advertised so I can see how you might overlook this little tidbit, but now you can put your mind at ease and always be secure in the fact of when one day is if you know the other.

Back to this year and the spirit of Christmas. Once again, Texas weather has thrown a wrench in our ability to really fall full on into the spirit of the holiday season with muggy, warmer, rainy days taken up most of the week. We had that one beautiful day of snow but it doesn’t look like that will be repeated anytime again in the near or distant future for that matter and the atmosphere around us will have to be ignored when designing Christmas in your mind.



While I have gotten festive in my loft-like building with lights reflecting out onto the downtown streets, I am only one of three out of 144 units. I also have a small tree; beautiful, quilted, Christmas wall hangings my mother has made me over the years; ceramic, santa and snowmen paraphernalia of differing sizes and shapes; Mr. And Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shakers; and a butt load of snow globes!!! For an 800 sf apartment, I’d say I am pretty decked out in comparison to my neighbors not only in this small courtyard building but the bigger 400 – 500 unit complexes that populate the midtown area with virtually no decorations. The buildings downtown aren’t doing much better unless you’re taking a trip down Main Street.

I guess the credit and cash crunch is hitting everyone so hard that even the extra electricity required to put a tree sign in their windows as the sky scrapers usually do this time of year is just too much. I saw a statistic that said if you took into account all the people that have actually stopped looking for a job because of the recession, those working reduced hours, those on unemployment, and those demoted to a part-time position without benefits the unemployment rate would be closer to 30% than the 10% the government reports now. The source of this was a panel discussion of experts on This Week With George Stephanopoulos. SO... for those of you who still have a full time job with benefits, it’s just another blessing to count this year – 30% is a HUGE number.

Since we are talking blessings before I sign off for the day because once this is posted it will be Christmas Day, I am going to relay what mine are.

I have an immediate family that loves me, a place to go for the holidays and we are all gathering with the spirit of Christmas in our hearts. I have a niece and nephew that still are young enough, 7 and 15, that they love me unconditionally and I have leaned with them what it feels like to love someone that way as well. I have wonderful friends and specifically a best friend who is there for me when I need support, direction, and love. I have three dogs who want little and give abundantly. I have all that I need and more when it comes to the necessities in life – shelter, food, and transportation. My extended family is close knit and we love each other dearly. My parents picked me to be in their life and I will forever be grateful for that simple choice so long ago.

When I look at this list and I think of the problems I have going on at the same time I realize they are what are called “high class problems”. There is nothing happening in this moment that will take away my basic needs for survival or the love of family and friends. I am grateful for my blessings and wish these on everyone. It is the simple things that truly mean the most.

May your Christmas remind you of the simplest of graces God or the universe gave you. It is my wish that everyone has something to be grateful for!!!

Merry Christmas!

Much Love.


Inspired by Sappho’s Muse.

MUSIC OF THE DAY
The last of a little Christmas music... The first is a great standard by Mariah Carey – Oh Holy Night. The second is one of the best duets I have ever heard and it sent shivers down my spine the first time I heard it bringing a TEAR to my eye. It was featured on Oprah’s Christmas duets show and is also a classic featuring Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige. It is one of the great carols of all time in my opinion and the best version yet of What Child Is This.

Oh Holy Night           Mariah Carey
What Child Is This     Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
Calvin Coolidge