Christmas Message 2018

[Giovanni Bianchini]

Dear Friends and Family;
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS - MERRY CHRISTMAS - MERRY CHRISTMAS
 
This years message is a long one and I hope you all have the patience to read it completely.

 

This year, 2018 is rapidly coming to a close. I am sure it is only a perception of those who have surpassed retirement age, that time seems to speed up. Either that or we are just getting slower. This year has brought a gift of good health for me. I thank all the doctors and nurses and hospital staff including Yeisella who cleans the bathroom in the Provincial Hospital in Camaguey and Iris for giving me extra helpings of that delicious hospital food. 
 
The year started off well with a visit from a dear friend and past business associate. We spent a few days with he and his family at Hotel Grand Caribe Atlantico in Santa Maria in the province of La Habana. The ocean was angry the whole time we were there but we were not there for the ocean and it was a wonderful time. Thank you!

 

Had some very sad moments over the past year as well.  Dealing with family is never easy especially when you live in another part of the world. You cannot show sadness nor desperation nor frustration in an email. Can there be a sin more cruel than one committed against family?

 

I am sure most of us will be going to Christmas and New Year parties and probably end up singing the age old traditional song.

 

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne.

 

CHORUS:
On old long syne my Jo,
On old long syne,
That thou canst never once reflect,
On old long syne.

 

Some memories we carry as a burden for perceived or real past discretions against us, are hard to dissolve.  However, after you have carried that cross, it becomes a very heavy burden in your life. No matter your religious bent, it is impossible through prayer, if you believe in prayer;  to apologize to someone who has passed.  We may have our faith, but there is always a bit of uncertainty and in my case a lot. I have lost my faith.  I have been carrying a burden for my father, for it seems like five hundred years. It haunts me and many times it is the last thing I think about before I find sleep.

 

There are three things I think we should all learn to say. It isn't just saying them but really understanding what the words actually mean and practicing them.

 

"I FORGIVE YOU"  means that whatever wrong has been committed against you is put aside and never spoken of again. Carrying misguided sorrow or ill feelings is a waste of your life energy.

 

"I AM SORRY" means that whatever wrong you have committed against another person, in your heart you seek forgiveness. It is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of great strength of character and respect.

 

"I LOVE YOU" means that whatever wrong may be committed by that person, forgiveness is a given. Do not use these words lightly. There are none more powerful.

 

Once again, my message to you all is to be aware of what is happening in your body and the ticket you have is until the ride is over. To my male friends, fear not the dreaded finger, there are times in your life when that orifice is a two way device. (Hilarious story available to those who want) Our life of course is a long one way trip, there are no transfers to another dimension, and getting off before the ride is over is surely a waste of the ticket your mother bought to get you here.

 

The most important thing in life is to clean up your own mess without dragging other people into it. You created it, you clean it up.

Commit yourself one hundred percent to reality, place all your energy in the present moment, and do so right now, immediately. To just be, to be in the moment, enjoying the light of the sun, the people, the birds and life.
 
You should not stay trapped in the past or be frightened of the future. If we could take a lesson from our dogs,  they don't remember the past and don't look forward to the future, they live in the moment. You only have one life, but if you live it well, that will be enough. The only reality is now, today. Don't be selfish.  My dear departed Belinda use to say "Today is a gift, that is why they call it the present".
 
Life gets us dirty along the way, but we can clean it up. We can say I forgive you and move on. We can say I am sorry and seek forgiveness. We can say I love you and open your heart. Happiness is not exuberant or noisy, like pleasure or joy; it is silent, tranquil, and gentle; it is a feeling of satisfaction inside that begins with self-love. You need to love yourself as I do, as all those who know you do, no matter your faults.

 

 If anyone is offended by my MERRY CHRISTMAS message, I am sorry. Please forgive me. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - MERRY CHRISTMAS - MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOVE ME, I LOVE YOU MUCH MORE!
 
Giovanni J. Bianchini

Of all the things I have lost in life;

I miss my mind the most!

[Toni Hanner -- tonipoet]

Thank you for your lovely message. I hope you find peace with everything you have done and with everything that has been done to you. Family is certainly tricky. But life is short and we will regret not having taken all the steps possible to be at peace with everyone.

[xx Jones]

Lovely letter, thank you, and a merry Christmas to you!

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

Happy holidays, Giovanni!