All I wish...

Well it truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, even here in Mexico. We may not have the snow as many do back home in Minnesota, but the typical Christmas trimmings are loud and proud. Even our little house here is decked out as my mom sent Marin and I some sort of garland and battery-powered candles. The classrooms are transforming from white-walled rooms to red and green adorned rooms. And while all this is happening, I am amazed that in just 11 days I will be home.

Home, the place I have thought so much about while I have spent months here in Mexico. Home, the place where so many of the people I love I left behind. Home in 11 days. Wow.

Thinking about home so much lately with the anticipation of soon being there, I started walking down memory lane. I remembered that typically for every holiday season I made a "Christmas Wish List." On this list I made sure not a thing was missing. Everything that could ever fulfill my happiness was listed on that page in alphabetical order with the catalog page number alongside the item. I loved making those lists knowing that Santa or mom and dad would be sure to come through on some of the "necessities" of my life at that point.

Though I haven't made a wish list for sometime now, I begin to wonder what my wishes would be these days. In the past I never would have put "see my siblings" on my wish list, for we fought way too often for that. But I think that is one that would be on my current list, so Mom you were right when you told us kids that we would be best friends someday.

In the past, I didn't realize all the things I had around me. It's funny that the things I wish for today would never have made the cut in the past. The things that make the cut today aren't material items. Never would I wish for a discman or a pink Barbie convertible.

My present wishes don't come in the form of presents.

And the wish list of my life today is no more than to be with those I love.

Funny how simple life can be.

Funny how little I really do need.

Funny how I often forget the little I do need and often do get lost in lists of unnecessary things. Maybe this holiday season, as red and green as it may be, can be enjoyed in the abundant simplicity of all I already have.