ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

The fireworks today were little more than a kid throwing poppers on the ground. The big explosion and expected reaction were very tame.

It is always interesting when they send the community director. She is a very sweet and wonderful woman but she knows nothing that is going on and has no authority. She was here on time. But the ones who had something to say were 20 minutes late. She did her best without even knowing whether anyone was coming. She reminded people of the coming events and celebrated the birthdays. By the time the big boys arrived, everyone was done and ready to go. But arrive they did.

Rocky showed up first. It was a Rocky I had never seen before. He was kind, gentle, commended the group for the good things and supported and encouraged them to good works in a few problem areas. As he was wrapping up, the big boss arrived with her silent assistant. She took over and continued with praise and minor correction. It was so good the group applauded all who spoke. I’ve never seen that happen before. Threat them like adults and they will be adults.

The final question was a popper. Sincere and maybe even necessary, but posed by a woman who does not have a gentle way of expressing anything. You could almost see the fur stand up on the back of some necks. She asked about whose responsibility it was to clean up their garden area, as they looked horrible. Everyone knows whose responsibility garden clean up is – the gardener. Maria and a few others left mumbling about nobody telling them what to do, as it is their garden. Thankfully none of the big wigs heard here. But then she didn’t want them to hear.

We were to decorate both building public areas with Christmas decorations after the meeting. Since I am usually the only man who helps, I stayed in the large building to help them get their things down. They have much more and a much larger areas. After that I came over to my building and saw that one of the younger women had got the tree up and there were four people decorating it. The only real conflict was over hanging candy canes on the tree. Maria did not want them hung. Two other somewhat aggressive women did want them and would not back down. Everyone was shocked when Maria gave up the struggle. So the candy cane wars ended without a shot being fired.

Two people are decorating our hallway. It has never been done before, but it looks great. Lots of candy canes. I usually take care of the corner when I live and finally got myself going again and got that done. It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I love this holiday and the great joy my grandkids give me by just being who they are.