My favorite time of year!

Since I was a young child Christmas has always been my favorite holiday... Thus the days after Halloween until New Years are my favorite days of the year. I am often a little sad the day after Christmas because it's hard to believe the special day has come and gone so quickly. But alas each year it seems there's less and less time until Christmas morning. This year we sort of lost a week because Thanksgiving was a week later. Then the next week is my birthday (12/01) and the holidays are officially in full bloom. 

The reason I love this season is because everything is so colorful, full of cheer and most people are anxious to celebrate and enjoy life. There's a lot of action if I may say so, dinners, lunches, gift-giving, shopping, toasting, smiling and decorating. I am always in awe of the beautiful houses adorned with lights and the classic trees in the window of your neighbors. One of the articles I wanted to write this season highlighted and dove into the fabulous Waikele Christmas homes that are decorated to the nines and showcased on national TV even. That story idea didn't get approved but I see Honolulu Magazine did something on it and I am glad they did.  In fact, this article was written and shot by my former student, go Brittney! http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/December-2015/11-Things-You-Didnt-Know-About-the-Magical-Waikele-Christmas-Lights/

What should really be important to you during the holiday can be summed up in one word: grateful. I think we should all be grateful to have the rights, freedoms, material things, good health, friends and family that we do. With that don't forget to give back and give thanks. Even though Thanksgiving has come and gone, I feel its even more important to acknowledge how lucky we are in general. To have a roof over your head, food in our tummies and the thought of whether you got all your Christmas shopping done on time seems so fickle to me. Be grateful, have appreciation and be kind. 

Don't forget to stop and smell the Christmas/pine trees, sit and take a gander at the lights (Honolulu City/Kapolei Lights and Waikele Lights are free), drop a quarter in the kettle and wish someone a happy holiday with a smile.