We are going to have a GREAT life together! -Margaret McNally, May, 1986
Backed up the in the inevitable traffic that clogs every parking lot at Christmas, I watch as two people go at it over an empty parking space. Though my windows are up, I can still make out the heated exchange that ends with one of the individuals screaming Happy %#?+* ing…Holidays!!! Though not involved in the ruckus my attitude is almost as dreary. It’s been a challenging year and I have a number of things I could gripe about without any encouragement at all. Thirty minutes later I am in the checkout line at my favorite Austin Whole Foods Store and confronted with the most cheerful checkout person on the planet. As she scans the groceries we get caught up in some funny banter about how much fun it really is during the holidays and my mood completely changes. When the woman finishes bagging my items, she says,” The only thing I really have control over is my attitude and I am often very happy in spite of things to the contrary in my life”. At this point, two of her co-workers laugh and only half jokingly agree that she is often so happy, it can sometimes be irritating to the rest of the crew! I start laughing again because there are times when I have the same effect on people around me!
Driving home, stuck in the barely crawling line of cars on Barton Springs Rd. I have a chance to enjoy the view of the Zilker Park Christmas Tree. Just about that time, Hayes Carll’s bitter sweet song, Grateful for Christmas about the holiday and family starts playing on the radio and I slowly begin to realize just how grateful I am for not only Christmas but for an abundance of good things in my life. As I type this I am cognizant of the fact that there are times when I really don’t want to hear a bunch of positive malarkey so…if you are not really in the mood, you better stop reading now. They say that attitude is an inside job and I know for a fact that the checkout lady at the store was absolutely right. No matter what goes on in the world, I have the ability to either get wound up in negativity or choose a different path. I’ve known it for years but need a gentle reminder now and then.
This year also marks the 25th Christmas I’ve shared with my wife; we also celebrated our 25th anniversary this past May, 25th. It’s something that I can’t quite explain but I have to say that of all the gifts I’ve received over the years, Margaret is the best thing that ever happened to me. The quote at the beginning of this post is something she told me the day before we got married and in the long run, she was absolutely correct. Though she is a very private person, I decided to make this blog post, my Christmas card to her this year and hopefully she will like it. She recently told me that K.T. Oslin’s, Hold me is one of her favorite songs about the highs and lows of marriage. Like nearly all relationships and families, we have faced many challenges and somehow managed to survive together and prosper. Of course in The Book of Love, perspective changes daily and in all relationships it varies from day to day. Ask her about how long we’ve been married and the answer will range for 25 years to twenty five THOUSAND years…depending on the circumstances! So…my wish for you this Christmas is that, no matter what is going on in your world (and yes, there is plenty to be seriously concerned about) you take a few moments and make a mental gratitude list about what is actually good in your life. It’s gift you give yourself and you might be surprised at your outlook, even for a short time. Because after all…Love actually is…all around you just have to take some time to find it!
Happy Holidays, You are now free to return to any previously scheduled stress levels, if you so choose!
1209 W. 5th Street Austin, TX, 78703 USA
russell@realtyaustin.com • 512-657-8769
Russell, You old softie! Great post and the truth is you did hit the jackpot with Margaret! Merry Christmas!
The night before Christmas and we are enjoying this post! By the way, it was featured this evening over at Active Rain! Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to You, Margaret and the kids!
Thanks, Russell! You’re absolutely right! It’s been an especially difficult year, but even so I have so many blessings to be grateful for. Thanks for sharing – & for the “gentle reminder” as well.
Merry Christmas!
Russell what a nice post, I hope Christmas has been good to you and your wife! See you soon.
Russell, I {heart} you! You’re so much like me, it’s scary–and that’s a rare find in a guy! Always happy, hopelessly in love with your spouse and you share your heart with the world! I hope you and Margaret are having the most spectacular Christmas EVER! xoxo
Love this! Thank you! I, too, have to be reminded, on occasion, of how truly blessed I am. So… Thank you for sharing this. Wishing you & yours a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
very well done, Russell….Merry CHRISTMAS!!!
Once again you amaze me with your words and will leave me thinking of this most the day. Merry Christmas and I pray you and the family have a blessed New Year.
Beautiful Russell. That is so sweet about you and Margaret. She sees your huge heart and always has. I do too! xxoo to you and 2012!
Hey Ol’ Friend,
Thank you for the words and guidance from you Christmas Card. You have always amazed me with the way you put words. You are a good man Russell, and I am very proud to call you my friend. Merry Christmas to you and your family and I pray you have a wonderful and blessed year.
Exactly right. You don’t have to look hard to find a million things about which to be bummed in this world. The more interesting endeavor is to notice the stuff all around it which can instead inspire you.
Merry Christmas to you Russell, and I think Margaret and Natalie might have a lot in common.
Loved this, Russell! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and Margaret and the whole Lewis family. I posted it to my FB page. Have I told you lately I’m so glad you’re at RA ?!
It’s Dec 26 and I just now sat down to check email in 4 days. What a gift to read Russell’s blog. Even if we have had cross words or think we are too busy to snuggle, usually me, one or the other of us can bring the “spirit” back into the situation. I agree with all of the commenters and know that I am married to the best fitting man for me. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year.
Your writing style is so real and you are hilarious. How many times we all have the parking space dilemma. I wish the best for you and Margaret in 2012.
I aodore you and your wonderfulness! We do a LOT to be thankful for – i appreciate your blog! (and we all appreciate Margerat)
Hi Russell!
Thanks so much for including me in your post…it was wonderful! I too, have been accused of looking for the silver lining a bit too hard sometimes, but there really is an upside to everything albeit sometimes I ahve to search very hard. I hope your Christmas was wonderful! Congrats on 25 years of wedded bliss!
Paula
What a wonderful gift to Margaret! We certainly do control our attitude and choosing the positive attitude comes back many fold. Have a wonderful 2012!
Russell, You really are a big teddy bear! I knew it! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Beautiful post! Reminding ourselves to be thankful for our blessings and for those who have blessed our lives is the real gift we can always give ourselves at Christmas.
Now let’s talk about something of vital importance: the slow-roasted pig I saw you with on Facebook and the mouth-watering Cuban sandwiches you made from said porker and how you didn’t Fed-Ex me one for my Christmas miracle…
So true! It’s the little things in life we take for granted and forget to be most thankful for! Thanks for reminding us Russell! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Absolutely Wonderful! I like the way your story moved 180 degrees. Check out this link to parking lot incident, I think you will enjoy it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UFc1pr2yUU
Just catching up on emails and I so enjoyed your lovely post. The glass is not only half-full but seems to be brimming over with love and gratitude! So refreshing. Thanks for sharing your posts with us. Happy New Year!
Russell – you’re getting all mushy on us.
Greetings from Sydney. The weather sucks here. ha! But in line with your post I’m very grateful to have taken this trip. It has been full of ups and downs as you can imagine – you’ll hear all about it MLF. ha! Thanks for the post! It gave me warm fuzzies in my heart. 
I take being happy very seriously and I work very hard at it. Like you, I am usually happy, except when I am not and that’s when I am very unhappy. Happy 25th year with Margaret. You are both enormously lucky. xxoo
Russell, What a beautiful tribute to your wife and a reminder to all of us that in fact, we CAN choose our attitudes.
You and your wife are lucky to have each other
I”m guessing she’ll keep you around for another 25 years!
Russell – What a lovely card and gift to your wife. It’s true we get to choose our mood and our attitude.