The Hocker Family-Christmas 2013

This Christmas touched the core of my being in the most beautiful way.  As you know, Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  I love the music, trimming the tree, watching Christmas movies, buying and wrapping gifts, and seeing the joy on the faces of those I love as they open their presents.  And of course, the family get together on Christmas day.  Lots of delightful food to enjoy as well as great fellowship with family.  It is truly heartwarming.

As Gary and I were flying from France to Texas to rejoice in Gary’s son’s wedding, as well as celebrating the holiday’s with the family, I began to reflect upon how blessed I am to be a part of a family that has welcomed me into their lives as though I have been with them for 50 years…. It’s been 10 years and I always enjoy being around them.

The Hocker family is genuinely a fun group of people, and you want to spend time with them.  As I continued to meditate on the joys and blessings of being a part of this family, the “stuff” that I seemed to always think about first when I focus my thoughts on Christmas, seemed to have little significance, and what truly mattered was just being.  Being in each moment, cherishing each minute of the day, realizing that our time here on earth is limited and it’s not the “stuff” that will be cherished, but it’s the people who are in your life that matter the most. Christmas was genuinely a glorious day filled with a lot of love and laughter.

Take time to tell the ones you love how special they are to you and how they have touched your heart and soul by just being in your life, and how this blessing is a true gift.

With much love,

Alice