Counting my blessings in 2008 ....

Last weekend, a friend invited me and a few others to join her for a very special Christmas Toy giveaway project that she put together. Through donations she collected more than 800 toys and she wanted volunteers to help distribute the toys to children in one of the needier neighborhoods. Well, how could I resist. I was happy to help!

There were in total 12 cars, decorated with Holiday trimmings and filled with toys lined up in a caravan. As we drove up the sirens sounded and an announcement inviting the children to come out and receive a toy was made. Within seconds, droves of smiling children ran out towards us. Now, we weren’t giving out game boys or ipods or any of those expensive toys that some kids get but each child we saw was so wide-eyed and happy to receive their toy! Mothers came out with their babies and when I gave them little stuffed animals they had the biggest smiles! Its funny that my friend and I were constantly the last ones ready to leave because we wanted to find just the right toy for each child and then when we were ready to leave we'd see another kid running up and we just couldn't leave. This was such an awesome experience for me and I can't wait to volunteer again next year.


As I look back on 2008, I feel very lucky on so many levels. First, I feel so fortunate and blessed to be able to afford the things that I have and to be able to travel to places around the world (which not many people are able to do). I am thankful for my health and for the health of my family and friends. I am especially thankful to have some really cool people in my life. My sister and her family, our extended aunts, uncles, cousins, my wonderful co-workers and my good friends.

This past year I have been really lucky to have met a group of very special travelers and bloggers whom I have come to call friends! AnnieNC, Maria, Girasoli, Sandra Leslie, Anne, Marta . . . ! I learn so much from them. For example, I was introduced to my first foreign movies, I learned about art appreciation, about the passion of watching a live Flamenco Dance and some of the fine delicacies of Andalusian Cuisine in preparation for my first trip to Spain. I learned about some interesting new places in Italy I want to visit and I also learned how to appreciate some familiar places like Venice and Florence. I learned about music, history, digital scrapbooking and photography. I learned how to keep the faith and have hope for change (Yay, Team Obama!) and finally I learned how to be a better person.

So as I stood there with droves of smiling children I am so humbled over what I think is the true spirit of the holidays . . . . giving thanks, sharing my good fortune with others and counting my blessings for my health and all the meaningful relationships in my life which are far more important than pocessions...well, maybe with the exeption of my iPod and music! Just kidding. :)

I want to wish everyone good health, happiness and lots of great traveling in 2009! I'll be toasting the New Year in with my sister and her family. I just better not do it while standing on the slopes of Big Bear lake! :)