A WALK IN THE PARK My Christmas want list

A family member asked me a while back what I wanted for Christmas. I was stumped by the question.

Until that moment I hadn’t given it more than a fleeting thought. At this point in life I have everything I need. Unless I get my “want” button pushed for some reason, I am usually content with what I have. I like it this way and determined years ago that this status quo is much easier to maintain when I refrain from spending too much time in retail shops. If I don’t see what they are selling, I don’t miss not having it. It is that simple. For me, shopping complicates things. Once that “want” button is pushed, it is hard to deactivate and the line between “wants” and “needs” gets fuzzy. Factor in that I am a slow, deliberate decision maker and you understand why a shopping trip invariably gives me tired feet and a headache. I know many other women don’t share this sentiment, but for me shopping is just not fun.

Still, this gal wantedan answer, at least a suggestion or two, she said, so I sat down and gave some deliberate thought to what I really want. In the process, the following “Dream Big” wish list emerged. It turned out to be longer than I expected. Still, I am not sure I thought of everything. Since nothing here can be ordered online or purchased at the mall, it didn’t help her with her Christmas shopping. But, after putting in all this time and thinking, I wanted to share the list with somebody, so here goes.

Some things I want (in no particular order):

1. Electronic stuff to be easy to figure out even for people like me.

2. All children everywhere to live in homes where they feel loved and cared for.

3. God’s hand of health and protection to constantly cover all those I love.

4. For my work to benefit others.

5. To be as great as my dog Bo thinks I am.

6. To love unconditionally and enjoy life in the moment.

7. To live a life that has everlasting value.

8. To have the wisdom to slow down and not hurry past someone who really needs me.

9. For hearts everywhere to be filled with hope.

10. For my newest grandson, Canyon Whitaker VanSandt, to make a safe and sound grand entry.

11. To take a better photograph next year than I took this year.

12. That by some miracle, there really would be Peace on Earth.

Some of the items are obvious long shots and may never come to pass. Thankfully, those are the ones that aren’t up to me. Others are works in progress where maybe I can lend a hand. I certainly don’t expect to get everything on the list at once, but most likely I will be holding baby Canyon in my arms by the time this goes to print. That will go a long way in keeping this “Nana” content for now and hopeful for more good things in the future.

Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas. May you get everything you really want this holiday season.

Annette Rowe lives in rural Gentry and is a freelance writer and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by e-mail at awalkinthepark50 @ yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 10 on 12/22/2010