THE SETTING:  

We’d be sitting in my dining room, marveling about how warm December is this year, wearing clothes in colors & styles that scream early autumn more than almost Christmas. 

We’d be drinking oolong black tea, steeped in my blue teapot, served with milk and sugar, because while coffee is wonderful, occasionally everyone needs a cup of tea [and sympathy].

We’d be listening to an old Eric Clapton CD that I found in the glove box of Zen-Den’s SUV.  Why?  Because it’s Christmastime and Clapton is God. 😉

THE CONVERSATION:

√  We’d be chatting… about how this week, for the first time, at Susie Lindau‘s urging I watched Elf.  Or more accurately, I watched the first half of Elf and decided that while the story is cute, there’s too much Will Ferrell in it for my taste.  It’s not for me, but all of you other wackos people enjoy it.  Please.

√  We’d be sharing… our latest accomplishments.  I’d be saying that I’ve been sober for three months now.  Considering how I started down this road by accident, I’m finding the experience enlightening.  I’m not missing cocktails or wine AT ALL, although I wouldn’t mind a beer every so often.  And maybe a shot of bourbon once in a great while.  But overall I’ve come to realize that at this point in my life I don’t care about alcohol all that much.  Who knew?

√  We’d be talking… about how Jon Stewart’s various appearances this week on late night TV [here and here] have brought attention to Congress’s indifference to extending the Zadroga Act, which, if reauthorized next week, will continue to give financial help to the 9/11 first responders.  I’d mention that given my druthers I’d vote for Stewart for president because… SMART + HONEST– not to mention looking good with that graying beard.  

√  We’d be discussing… whether this year we’ll be making a list of specific New Year’s Resolutions OR if we’ll go with a more general one word approach to self-improvement.  Having tried both ways in the past, I’d tell you that, as an English major, my best successes have come from adopting one word as my theme for the year, thereby avoiding all ways to quantify my life– which for me only leads to defeat & despair.  Keep it simple, keep it going, I say.

THE CONCLUSION:

We’d finish drinking our tea, notice the time, and realize that we both needed to get to certain stores on the other side of town before noon.  So with a sigh that comes from being a responsible adult, we’d each get in our cars and go our own way.  

But before we parted we’d hug and thank each other for the best gift there is, the gift of sincere undivided attention & conversation.  Given to those people who make your heart happy and your life full.  Like friends, followers, family & fans.  In real life– and in the blogosphere, too.

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Idea for this post came from Diana at Part-Time Monster.

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[Make your own plaids, checks &/or stripes, in any color combination, like those featured above, by using Patternizer. It’s free. It’s fun.]