It has been a rough year economically, and lifestyles and family priorities have shifted to basic needs. My grandsons are too young to comprehend or care that "Santa" had big issues to overcome this Christmas.

It was a humbling and learning experience. Not only were the kids okay with the inexpensive gifts they received, the less expensive they were, the better they liked them. Whew! One large sigh of relief for me.

I think the marshmallow guns given to them by their aunt were priceless until they both had to go pick up miniature marshmallows off Grandma's grass. They thought it looked awesome with snow on the ground. It looked like snowballs from the Charlie Brown Christmas movie.

I did receive the photo card of my friend's perfect family that I look forward to every year. Six beautiful children, dressed in red and green with big bright smiles. I cannot grasp it. I am sure they have their issues like any family, but that picture paints a lovely portrait of family life.

There is always a bit of a letdown between Christmas and New Year's Eve. All of the excitement of Christmas is over. The store shelves are empty, and people are basically just waiting around for the next celebration.

So, I was thinking to myself, everything will be okay in '09. Everything would be fine. Just as the story of loaves and fishes were multiplied as needed, somehow the little bit I had seemed more than enough. I have adjusted myself to living with less because of the state of the economy. But I have high hopes that 2009 will be a better year. I have trust that someone is watching over me and if I work hard enough, small rewards will be present in everyday life.

Hope - Pass it on!

T&D Correspondent Jan Jordan can be reached by e-mail at Jor8J@aol.com.

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