This past weekend we end the 12th day of Christmas. The feast of the Epiphany. This is the time when the wise men came to honor the new king, Jesus. It is funny how quickly so many people are to get rid of their Christmas decorations and put the “season” behind them, even before the season is complete.

It seems like so many times in our lives we don’t enjoy the “here and now.” Instead, we are always looking forward to what’s next. As I went to one of my favorite dollar stores around Dec. 27, all that filled the aisles were Valentine’s Day items. Sometimes I wonder, why can’t we just slow down and be present in where we’re at and what we are celebrating. I know some skeptics will say, “You should have a goal, you should have some focus in the days and weeks ahead.” They may say, “Where are your goals? Why are you not focused on the next milestone or accomplishment?” 

I agree, all of those things are important. 

Some wise person many years ago would always use the phrase: your presence is present enough. They would use that when our family would just “drop in” and not have to bring anything, like a dish to pass, or a bottle of wine. At first, I didn’t understand it fully. But the older I get, the more I relish in the idea of the importance of being together, being present. Enjoying the time that we have been given in the here and now.

I had a wonderful family Christmas this year, and what was one of the most important and special factors, besides the fact that all 28 of us were together, was the fact that my niece and her husband were able to have us all over for brunch on Sunday morning. The brunch wasn’t anything spectacular, it was made up of scrambled eggs, bacon and pastries from their neighborhood bakery. What was spectacular was the excitement she had in sharing their new home with us. They were so happy and proud to be able to have us all there. To squeeze all 28 of us into a small 1,200 square foot house. To be standing and eating eggs because they didn’t have enough room for all of us to sit was wonderful. It was so neat to look around and see the fact that our presence, all of us being together, is what mattered most. That is what is so amazing about life – the simple moments that make our time together so meaningful and special. 

So here we are just completing the 12 days of Christmas. But I ask, why does the gift-giving need to end? It doesn’t. As we look ahead to the New Year, and the new decade, why don’t you continue to give the gift that matters most to the ones that you love? Your time.

I was pretty melancholy at the end of the year 2019. I was reflective about all that happened in the past 10 years. I experienced what seemed like a lot of loss: both parents, my nephew, one of my best friends, an amazing co-worker, and my “second mom.” But I had also experienced a tremendous amount of joy: the weddings of three nieces and a nephew, the birth of two of my great nephews, not to mention amazing travel experiences with friends, as well as so many wonderful memories with my family. 

It was then that I realized, I am truly blessed. Life is filled with one gift that no one can take away from us: time. Time to be together, time to live in the here and now, time to laugh, cry, sing, eat, dance and enjoy. It is filled with time to be “present” to one another. Only you can control the time you have; choose to spend it with the ones you love. Always remember,, your presence is present enough. Have a great New Year sharing your time with the ones you love.

— Joe Peters is the principal at St. Victor School in Monroe.