Candy Cane Christmas Gratitude

You know how Facebook always sends you posts that you made 10 years ago? Well, this fine picture was sent to me by Facebook just the other day, and then my fabulous daughter, about whom I’m not allowed to write, sent me a picture of Christmas cookies she is making tonight. Have I mentioned I’m thinking of deleting Facebook in 2025?

Sarah, who was in her late 20s at the time these fabulous candy cane cookies came to be, was visiting for the holidays. We decided to make Christmas cookies, which we used to do when she was young.

I took a picture of her candy cane and mine. I sent it to people and asked them which one they thought belonged to each of us. Every single person said hers was the one on the left. There is no loyalty among me and my friends.

As I look at it now, I realize that I was always the one who rushed through things. She was always the one who sat down and did it the very best she could—every single time she did anything. She didn’t take an inordinate amount of time to do things. She didn’t overdo them. She didn’t overcommit. But she was thorough. And creative. And disciplined. Once she starts anything, she does not stop until she is finished. I can start many, many things before finishing any of them. And some of them still sit undone on the dusty shelves of my good intentions.

I guess I could blame me on ADHD, which clearly I have in spades. What does that even mean? In spades? Wait, no worries, I’ll stop writing this and look it up.

OK, I’m back.

In case you were interested... The phrase “in spades” originates from the game of bridge and other card games where the spade suit is often the highest-ranking suit. To have something “in spades” meant having an overwhelming amount of it, much like a hand filled with high-value spades. Over time, this card-playing term evolved into a broader expression to describe an abundance or excess of something, often in a positive or emphatic way. AI

As I look at these two candy canes, what I see now is the love I have for her, just as she is. And how proud I am of that thing inside her that shines in her zest for life and desire to do things well. The best she can. She is a constant inspiration to me. And I say that more with gratitude than pride. OK, maybe a little pride.

Actually, I might even print the candy canes out and put them on my refrigerator to have something to aspire to. To spend just a little bit more time on things to get them more than just ‘done.’

More than done.

I like that phrase. It rings true to me. Every year, I pick a word or a phrase to have in front of me to inspire me. I think I just found mine for 2025.