Simon?

Yesterday, Cap and Ella were introduced to Simon, a black plastic circle with four colored lights.  They were intrigued by Simon, but a bit reserved.  How much fun could Simon be?  (Especially, for kids that have access to the World Wide Web, which is full of fun, free games.). After warming up to Simon they enjoyed playing the game.  This game is a throw back to when I was a child, so I had to give it a try, which took me back in time.

You see it all around these days, the nolgistic movement.  Fashion (welcome back bow ties), open air shopping areas (a re-creation of Main Street), cooking (home artisan bread movement) and film (Star Wars).  In part I believe this movement toward nolgistic items is an attempt to capture the feelings of a time we perceived as less complicated.

Many attribute the complexity of today on email, text messaging, social media, and television ruled our lives.  Yet, the complexities of life are the same now, as they we when I was younger.  Today the difference is I have chosen to enter more complex areanas of life: marriage, children, volunteering at church.  In the same way busyness derived from the electronics we carry in our pocket, is our choice.

As I look forward and wonder how my children will navigate the cross roads between humananity and the electronic communication, I hope that they do not miss out on one of the the most important parts of life - human contact.

If you are looking for that nolgistic feeling of the past, a bow tie will only get you so far.  Reach out and make contact with people, over the phone, in person, or even through a letter.  Put down the World Wide Web, which is more like a spider web or Hotel California.  

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Christmas Traditions

Traditions, the time hornored act of repeating the same actions year after year is comforting.  These traditions may be established over a centuries, or they could be relatively new.  The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is full of traditions,  This time of year where some are preparing for the great Christmas Morning Gift Exchange, while others are preparing for the "Norman Roxkwell" thanksgiving feast, Hannakka, Boxing Day, or Festivus.  For me, Christmas is a time to celebrate family and the birth of Jesus Christ.

My parents, and their parents, worked hard to make sure that Christmas was a special time for all of us.  Through all of that work, we have picked up a number of traditions which are executed every year. My generation, my wife, and my parents have worked to incorporate these traditions into my children, nieces, and nephews.  

Similar to that old blanket, we wrap ourselves up in the comforting nature of tradition.  Recreating that "magic" every year. I really  enjoy these Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day traditions,  Yesterday I was reminded that the next generation is getting older, and more mature/independent.  At the Christmas Eve Service most of the cousins sat behind the adults with Aunt Natty.  They sang the hymns, stood without additional prompting, and listened to the message.  It was a beautiful transition to see.  As we pass along, not only the traditions of Christmas, but also our strong belief in Jesus Christ.