The gift of friendship.

What's playing on the iPod right now: Dream Again by Franz Ferdinand

Merry, merry Christmas!! If Mom and Dad were alive to share it, this would've been the best Christmas of my life. It certainly ranks right up there with some of the more magical Christmases of my childhood. All the right ingredients were in the mix: good food, good drink and good people. More importantly, the right attitude, atmosphere and appreciation of all three.

It's become abundantly clear to all who were here that the lack of negative energy-draining individuals is far more important than how many positive, happy people are present. To a group of people who are as simple as we are, it's hard to understand why anyone can't be as accepting or as loving as we try to be. We befriend, we love, we give, give, give, until we can't/won't give any more.

We embrace those who embrace life. We get angry at those who waste the gift. We wonder why certain people continue to make excuses, waste time and blame everyone but themselves for their bitterness and their unfulfilling lives.

At one point in the day, when everyone had just shared a laugh, I said, "If you're a mean person, you didn't get an invite to hang out with us." The family knew what I meant and some laughed in agreement and others agreed sadly. We all knew it was true.

We all have our issues, but really, is it that hard to spend a few hours with us in friendship, love and respect? Can you not join us as we make jokes with and about each other? Is it that difficult to join in a heated discussion without taking it personally?

And in some particular cases, is it so hard to come to my home and engage in a few polite sentences with me? Especially when I've been the one who's made the effort to remain friends, despite our growing differences?

Apparently, it is. Our "inner circle" changes continuously, but its core remains constant. My family is something I always wanted to depend on, but for years, never thought I could. Turns out I was wrong and adversely, my family is the most consistent dynamic in my life. This lends to my ever-growing holiday joy.

We don't miss those that we don't see across the dinner table. We hope for their continued happiness, but we know that, if patterns persist, they will remain in a state of constant, unhealthy denial.

The ones who awkwardly visit our home for one reason or another, and don't seem to be able to maintain a functioning relationship with me or any other member of the family won't find themselves welcome before too long.

The house is filled with all good gifts that God has given us, and a few we've given ourselves, like the continued company of each other.