“Last Christmas I gave you my heart… But the very next day you gave it away… This year to save me from tears… I’ll give it to someone special.” Wham’s “Last Christmas” was a chart-topping hit in 1984 and 1985, respectively.  I think the song has a timeless appeal because we believe we can make next Christmas perfect, or at least a lot better, if we make the ‘right choice.’ About fifteen years ago, I decided to return to college to achieve my bachelor’s degree. I have a very large family, so instead of a four-year degree path, the journey to my diploma took nine years.  In my final December…

I wrote this four years ago. It felt appropriate to update it now. 2017 – Confession ~ Our family received a holiday fruit basket last week. I am 47, but I acted like a 4-year-old when I got it. Ungrateful. I delayed thanking the gift-givers (a couple), and the husband called to check whether it was received. Sheepishly, I thanked him profusely and apologized for being late with thanking them. He shared with me that his wife had had surgery a few months prior – and the co-pay had come due—$ 35,000.  Instead of dragging out the medical payments, they had paid the balance. I didn’t ask how, but I…