A More Spontaneous Holiday

December 22, 2008

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

~Hans Hofmann

Happy Holidays everyone.  Vacation has started.  I will be online sporadically for the rest of the year as I tidy up this one and prepare for the next.  I will drop in with a couple of important messages, and the pages will be kept fresh by friends of Writer dad.  Please enjoy the first in a series of guest posts, as Dave Fowler tells us what the holidays this year mean to him.

2104624897_6758fbf5b8This is my first Christmas as a stay at home dad, so it’s going to be different.  This year is going to be better than any Christmas before.  It will be more joyous and there will be more merriment.

Not because I have some meticulous plan set in place to execute with military like precision – but because I don’t.

I have no plan, other than to go with the flow.

Except for the purchase of a few gifts and a major round of early grocery shopping, I’ve done nothing else to prepare.

It feels brilliant and liberating.  “So what,” shall be my motto.

There is not much that can’t be fixed by the careful application of personal attention, and who better to give it than someone not tied to a rigid agenda and steeped in the ludicrous expectations of a perfect Christmas Holiday?

I have fallen foul of this too many times before.

Whenever I’ve planned to design an event to perfection, it always misses the mark and finds its bulls-eye in disappointment instead.

Always aspiring to something greater, I find  my mind is often elsewhere, thinking of something that has already happened or is yet too, but I am usually missing out on what’s transpiring right before my very eyes.

Not this year.

This year I’m going to be in the moment as much as I possibly can.  Aside from the obligations I’ve made to getting fit, I have set no rules for myself.

The countless conventions normally set in place have been sidelined in favour of spontaneous fun and frequent dashes of hilarity.  All my children have reached an age where they can fully experience the delight of the holidays, and I want to be present for them.

We are financially challenged this year, owing to the loss of my earning, but I can still give my young family the most wonderful gift I have.

The gift of a father’s time.

Being with them, playing with them, talking to them, and loving them, will make this a Christmas I will never forget.

Merry Christmas,

Dave Fowler

For those of you who have not yet received January, I am sorry. The problem is being sorted and you shall have it by the end of the day. It’s an automated email thing and I want to make sure people aren’t getting inundated with duplicate emails. If you want it immediately, shoot me an email and I’ll send it ASAP. To all of you who sent feedback over the weekend, WOW and thanks! I’d like to especially thank Jamie Grove for his 1000 word review. Definitely awesome and one.

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  • Great post, Dave. And great gift to our family - time.

    Merry Christmas. As my gift to you, no snarky comments :)
  • Dave,

    what lovely sentiments. You're going to have a wonderful Christmas.

    <abbr>Beth Partins last blog post..Two Conversations in Denver</abbr>
  • Hey Dave, good to see you here!

    Being in the moments of the season - that's just a great thought. And one I'll try to embrace, as well. And you're giving your kids the best gift - you! That's very cool! Have a very wonderful and happy Christmas, Dave - you and your whole family!!

    <abbr>Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day</abbr>
  • Nice post! I especially like this thought:

    "There is not much that can’t be fixed by the careful application of personal attention, and who better to give it than someone not tied to a rigid agenda and steeped in the ludicrous expectations of a perfect Christmas Holiday?"

    Expectations and general perfectionism will get you every time, won't they? How wonderful that you're figuring these things out when your kids are young, and can directly benefit from what you've learned.

    <abbr>Kristin T.s last blog post..I’ll take a side of sadness with my cheer</abbr>
  • Great post, Dave. Can I come drop my kids off at your place? LOL

    P.S. Sean... "Awesome and one?" Sweet! I actually did one thing right this year! Great start for 2009! :)

    <abbr>Jamie Grove - How Not To Writes last blog post..When do you find yourself at peace with your words?</abbr>
  • Trina
    To paraphrase Alexander Graham Bell; when one door closes, another opens...the trick is to look through the open door, rather than stare longingly at the closed.... I can see that you have walked through that door Dave. Your kids will remember the gift of time far over any gadget. Best of the season to all!
  • That's the Secret man. Really, live in the moment.

    Life is happening right now..Stop planning for tomorrow's life, live today.

    Good for you and Happy Holidays...

    <abbr>Jim Gaudets last blog post..This is Way too Personal…</abbr>
  • Looking forward to reading about the wonderful gifts you're certain to receive in return. Thank you for sharing so eloquently.

    <abbr>Mark Alvess last blog post..Church Webmaster Gift Guide</abbr>
  • Enjoy your vacation, WD.

    Great post, Dave.

    <abbr>Emily@remodelingthislifes last blog post..Link Love</abbr>
  • Happy holidays, Sean! Enjoy your vacation. Hi, Dave: You've said it nicely, that the best gift you can give is your time. And it's a gift that will keep on giving. Looking back, it's our family-focused traditions that I remember about Christmases past. I can only think of a couple gifts. Telling, that. For all the excitement of gifts, it's the family moments I treasure. Enjoy your holiday! ~ Julie

    <abbr>Julies last blog post..Our World in a Christmas Tree</abbr>
  • Hey Sean,

    Have a great christmas and new year yourself. Nice guest post Dave:

    This year I’m going to be in the moment as much as I possibly can. Aside from the obligations I’ve made to getting fit, I have set no rules for myself.


    Excellent, being in the moment is all there is. Otherwise, you are going to be back at work in January and wonder where all the time went!

    Cheers,
    Glen

    <abbr>Glen Allsopps last blog post..Embrace the Hard Times, They’re the Best Part</abbr>
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