Christmas 2013

Well the day is still very early, but reading my brother's most recent blog entry I had to laugh as I pictured him dealing with the young child in church who had decided to make some changes to his Christmas Eve service.  My brother, who is a Methodist minister in Nebraska, has told me stories in the past at how his services have been "altered by the moment."  (haha..."altered"...get it?)

Anyway, it made me think about the Christmas Eve service I attended at my home church last night.  I attend the Westerville Community United Church of Christ.  After over 20 years at that church, the pastor retired, and in September a different pastor started with our church.  The few services I've been able to attend since Pastor Jay came to our church, he has made it a point to introduce himself to the congregation, and still calls himself the "very new senior minister".  I'm sure last night wasn't his first Christmas Eve service, but it was his first at WCUCC, and I'm sure he was trying to mix in his own traditions without disrupting our congregation's traditions also.  The pastor's family was at the service and sat one row in front of where I had found a seat.  One thing I've noticed about Pastor Jay is that he tends to get emotional.  One some point during every service I've attended, his voice has cracked or he's paused from the emotion that he's feeling with the message he's giving.  I wasn't sure how to feel about that at first.  My first thought was that it brought memories of Jim and Tammy Baker to mind, minus the mascara.  But sitting behind Pastor Jay's father, himself a retired minister, I noticed something.  Several times during the sermon the elder pastor was wiping his eyes.  This, I realized, is a family who have truly been called to ministry and who truly feel the message they are giving.

Anyway, getting back to my original point... The church was pretty crowded last night, and as people filed in and filled the seats, a brass quartet sat up front playing Christmas songs.  People were enjoying the music, but it was more in the background as they greeted each other, skimmed through the program, marked their spots in the Hymnals for the evening Hymns, looked for open seats, etc.  So as the quartet went from one song to another there really wasn't much notice....until...  A few rows up was a young child.  HE was enjoying the music, and when the quartet finished the song he was listening to, this young child stood up on his chair and began to applaud.  Of course, once he did this, everyone else joined in and there were a smattering of chuckles going through the church.

Then the service started and we got the Children's Sermon.  All the children went down front and Pastor Sigrid read them a children's counting book about Christmas that had been written by a member of our congregation.  As with my brother's service, there were several children who answered the questions loudly or would put in their own additions to the answers.  Then, as is tradition in our church, the baby Jesus figure was placed in his mother's arms in the Nativity set.  Pastor Sigrid added a star this year also, and the children let her know that she should place the star up higher...apparently where she originally placed it was too low for everyone to see??  Then a small cupcake was brought out, the candle lit in the cake and the children sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.

You all the know the words...or at least think you do.  The children of our congregation of course, had their own version, and they weren't afraid to share it.

Happy Birthday to you  (Cha cha cha)
Happy Birthday to you (CHA cha cha)
Happy Birthday dear Jesus (CHA CHA cha)
Happy Birthday to you (CHA CHA CHA)

As the children filed out I wondered to myself how, or if, Pastor Jay would react.  He stood up and said, as we preparing for the Christmas Eve offering, that he had only one word of inspiration for us before the offering.....cha cha cha.

On a completely different topic.  I've mentioned before that I've been pretty fortunate when it comes to working on Christmas Day.  I was in the Army for Christmas in 1984, 1985 & 1986.  Two of those years I was able to take leave and be home at Christmas.  For one of them I was stationed in Germany, and although I was not able to get home, I did spend the day with family, as my uncle was also in the Army and stationed in Germany during that time.  I've worked my current job as a Police/Fire/EMS/911 Dispatcher since 1998.  A job that obviously needs to be staffed, even on Christmas Day, but this year will only be the third time that I've worked Christmas Day.  I'll say it again, I've been pretty lucky.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Tonight You Will be Visited by 3 Ghosts...

Well, I have not had near as many blog entries in 2013 as I had the previous couple of years.  I think, having gotten back on Facebook, that I feel I have less updates I can make through this forum.  But this forum was supposed to be more than that, so an early 2014 resolution will be to have at least three blog entries a month in 2014.

Being in to the Christmas season is an interesting time of year.  While it signifies a beginning, a birth or rebirth, in some ways it's also signifies as end, as we prepare to say good-bye to 2013.  We tend to reflect, and yes, I will do some reflection today.

Looking back in 2013, I found it almost humorous to look at my first blog entry for 2013.  I was happy at having met my weight loss goal.  It was a great way to start the year.  The humorous part though was looking at my preparation for my first half marathon of 2013.  I was preparing to go to Myrtle Beach and had set a few goals.  My "ultimate goal" or my "push-it" goal was to finish in 2:11.  The reason that's humorous is that finishing my final half-marathon of 2013 a couple of weeks ago in just over 2:11 was something I found disappointing.  What a difference a year makes.  Now, in my defense, I surpassed that goal of 2:11 early in the year, and that 2:11 in December was my slowest half marathon time all year.  But it makes me feel a little better knowing that it was still faster than any half marathon I ran in 2012.  Also, I remember that any time I've been less than happy with my running, I've been able to point to the factors that caused my disappointment and learn from them.  This was no different, and the mistakes I made are easily correctable.

But now looking back, I saw a questionaire that I filled out the beginning of 2013, and I'm going to do it again now for the end of 2013:

1 - What did you do in 2013/will you do in 2014, that you have never done before?

Well, I think I'd have to say that I stepped outside my comfort zone.  Traveled to some places I've never been before and ran some more "big" races that I haven't run before.  Those things are pretty small in comparison.  And although this is small, I have to mention it here. After all, part of the reason for this blog is for me to log those things that are significant for me, regardless of how significant they may seem to others.  My church has a running group that meets on Wednesday evenings in the Spring, Summer and Fall.  I wanted to get out with them in 2012, but was always a little too nervous to take that step.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up.  I was afraid that I would slow them down.  I was afraid that they were the kind of runners who took running much more seriously than me.  What I found out was that they looked at running the same way I did, as a way to have fun and stay in shape.  As a way to stay in shape and socialize.  Better yet, they were a great group of people that I'm glad I met and got to know.  I enjoyed being out enjoying running with other people.  I enjoyed the company and the conversation.  Most, if not all the people in that group will probably find it funny that I mention the "conversation", but I really am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I thank them for making me comfortable in that group, and doing it so quickly.

2 - Did you keep your New Years Resolutions and will you make more for 2014?

I made two resolutions for 2013.  One was to run at least 1000 miles.  I surpassed that while running the Columbus Marathon in October.  I should end up with over 1200 miles for the year.  The second was to read at least 12 books this year.  I think I've ready 9 or 10 so far, so if I want to hit it I need to get reading these next couple of weeks.
As for 2014, yes I do think I'll make resolutions.  And I know this may come as a shock, but I have no doubt that running will be part of that.

3 - Did anyone close to you give birth?

In January had two great-nieces born.  Addison and Abby were both born this year, and I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of their first Christmas.  My supervisor also had her first child just a few months ago.

4 - Did anyone close to you die?

I'm a little nervous to answer that question since the year isn't over with.  Not that I'm expecting it to happen in the next couple of weeks, but why tempt fate.  I have had a couple of friends who did deal with deaths in their families this year.  Both were close to the holiday season and I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

5 - Which countries did you visit?

Stayed in the United States again in 2013.  There are some trips I'd like to take outside the U.S. in the future, but those are for down the road.  Not expecting to leave the country in 2014 either.  I did take a few trips this year going to Myrtle Beach, Lexington, Philadelphia and Florida to run half-marathons and do some site-seeing.

6 - What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013.

Part of that answer is a little too personal to share in this blog.  Overall I'm in pretty good shape though.  I've got what I need.  I could always use more, but I think I've had a pretty blessed year.

7 - What dates in 2013 will remain etched in your memory?

I don't know that there are any specific dates in 2013 that stand out so much that they would be "etched in my memory".

8 - What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Again, I revert back to a running achievement here.  Breaking the 2:00 mark in the Philadelphia half marathon is something that I have to look at here.  While I point at the time as the achievement, it was more about what I had to do to achieve that time.  The preparation and the commitment.  I could go on and on with what that achievement symbolizes for me.  It was not just about the running or the time, but about so many other things that are too numerous to mention and very personal for me.

9 - What was your biggest failure of the year?

I still tend to get sucked in to the negative from time to time.  I still talk about others at times when I should be focusing on myself.  I think I've done a little better, but as long as it still happens, it's still a failure on my part.

10 - Did you suffer illness or injury this year?

Another question I want to be careful with.  No injuries (as I knock on wood).  I did take a couple of sick days early in 2013, but have done pretty well since then.

11 - What is the best think you bought?

Didn't really buy myself anything special in 2013.  The money I spent was spent on race registration fees and running equipment.

12 - Whose behavior merited celebration?

In 2013 two of my nephews have found themselves deployed as members of the U.S. Air Force.  I applaud their continued commitment to serve.

13 - Where did most of your money go?

Paying the bills, giving to my church and running.

14 - What did you get really really really excited about?

I think I'm more excited this year for the number of races that I'll get to run next year.  I plan to add at least five new states in my "quest for 48".  That, and the travel and site-seeing that come with those races are exciting for me.

15 - What song will always remind you of 2013?

Really?  That's like asking me if I were a tree, what kind of tree would I be?  A Barbara Walters Special I'm not.

16 - Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

I'm not sadder.  Don't know if I can say that I'm happier really.  I was pretty good this time last year and still have that same general optimism.

17 - What do you wish you'd done more of?

More site-seeing.  Seems strange to say that, but sometimes when I take trips for races I spend so much time dealing with the race and don't give myself time to see the sites around the area and make it a true running VACATION.

18 - What do you wish you'd done less of?

Eating Christmas cookies.  :-)

19 - What's your favorite TV program?

- Big Bang Theory
- Survivor
- Almost Human
- Sleepy Hallow
- The Black List
- Mike & Molly
- Two Broke Girls
- Grimm

20 - What was your favorite film this year?

Nothing really stood out in 2013,  Didn't do a lot of movie-going this year.

21 - What was the best book you read?

I think Sinners & Saints was a pretty good book.  Nice thriller/crime drama.

22 - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

I think I'd laugh if anyone asked me that question out loud.

23 - What kept you sane?

As has been the answer for a while now...running.

24 - What political issue stirred you the most?

I think probably the "Affordable" Care Act.  Don't want to get to political on here, so I'll leave it at that.

So there's your ghost of 2013 past.

As for the present, we are in what is my favorite time of the year.  The smells around my house bring back a lot of Christmas memories for me.  The smell of a pine tree in the living room, combined with spray snow and rocks baking in the oven remind me of when I was young.  (For those who don't know, "rocks" are a family Christmas cookie.  We did not go out to the garden as kids and get stones and throw them in the oven).  This year I'm going to try my hand at making some home made salami.  I remember coming home on leave when I was in basic training and smelling the salami cooking "low and slow" in the oven.  If Christmas ends with me wanting just a tiny bit more, than I've celebrated the season just right.

For 2014, I'm looking forward to a few different things.  I won a free membership to the Run Fitness running club for next year.  This will be an opportunity for me to meet even more runners, run with others who "run like me" and meet others who have that common interest but share varied stories about, not only their running, but who they are as individuals.  Getting back together with the WCUCC running group when those runs start again in the spring.  A great group of people that made me happy I took that step and joined the group.  The continuing changes at work, as we take on dispatching for a new customer early in the year and welcome some more new dispatchers to our group at work.  The many races that I will be participating in during 2014 that will stretch all the way from the east coast to the west coast and add at least five more states to my quest.