Christmas...

Well, Christmas is almost here. Christmas is a time I both hate and love. I like buying people things, and seeing people get happy because of something I've done for them, but at the same time, I really don't like people spending money on me. When my mom asks me what i want for Christmas, I usually say, oh I don't need anything. Because honestly, if i do want something, I'll just go out and get it when I get paid. People are strange to me this time of year. Most people are in a good mood and happy with the festivities of the season, but at the same time people can become very selfish as well. It's all about what I'm going to get for Christmas. I want this, and I want that. I really don't like that part of Christmas. But I do value the Christmas time with my family. I've spent two Christmas seasons away in Iraq and really didn't like it very much. The food was good, but just knowing that my family was home together and I wasn't there to join them was kind of stressful. Which is why I think I take a special value in this time of year. I know what it means to sit in a lonely tower overlooking a neighborhood with bombs going off and gunshots in the distance on Christmas eve, freezing my butt off and wondering what my family was doing at the moment. I try to remember what it was like to be alone for Christmas, and therefore try not to take this time with my family for granted.
Anywho, I get paid tomorrow, so I guess there's nothing like some last minute shopping for my friends and family to get the season started....I should really get started with that as soon as possible, huh....