Tis The Season
Dec 21st, 2007 by Don Ray
A very dear friend dropped this off yesterday. You know who you are. Thank you very much. I know just where to put them. 
Here it is December 21, 2007. It seems, just like yesterday, that I made the move to Panama, and yet that was almost five years ago. Because of wonderful people, such as the one that left these goodies, this has been the most fantastic adventures of my life.
Everyday, brings something new. Everyday seems to be equal to or better than the one before it. Everyday, I try to get up, take a deep breath of fresh air, and remind myself how lucky I am to be here and above ground.
There are so many people that are less fortunate than I have been. Sometimes this is something I have to remind myself, when I bump into a clerk that having a bad day. You never know what is going on in someone else’s life, so remember to be tolerant, if they don’t interact as you would like.
Each day is a good day to great others with a friendly smile and warm greeting. Remember, “When you smile, the world smiles with you and when you frown, you frown alone.”
Draw up a chair and make yourself comfortable. Decide which goody you would like a slice of. I will pour you a fresh cup of coffee. As the aroma of the coffee and the goodness of the pastry finds its way to you, remember that you can make a difference in someone’s life that is less fortunate than you.
Now each in his own way, go out and make some one happy today.
Don,
The Wife here bakes alot. Many people have told her to bake stuff & sell it but she’s just not into it for the $$.
The other day she made this shortbread type thing with a thick layer of chocolate fudge-type fudgy chocolate stuff slathered on top. Tons of butter, chocolate, sugar etc etc.
In short, it blew me away!! If you want the recipe, let me know..
It’s 110% KILLER! Honest!
PS. If you hear anyone talking of Ecuador as a retirement destination they should research the Chinese military moving in there in 2009… FWIW. Heads up. I’ve heard Ecuador being pushed in certain circles…beware expats!
Hi KK. Don’t eat too much of those sugery goodies. They will make you have to add another notch in your belt.
Very nice post.
We are so grateful for life but how grateful only comes with good health, age and enough resources to get by. Take any one of those things away and the escape from this life becomes a race against time.
Hi Abe.
I agree with you. However, I also believe, there will always be other who have it or have had it worse.
I truly appreciate your great attitude. I hope that when we move down there I can have the same attitude.
Hi Susan,
I am sure you will have the same. It is contagious.
Susan,
I concur with Don’s reply. You bring the right perspective with you and you’ll be OK. That’s certainly worked for us when we were expats.
When you have the right attitude, you see it reflected in the locals. Read Don Ray’s quote about smiles.
Hi Tuxi. Thanks for dropping in. How is UBUNTU treating you?
Don!
Too Late!! The ‘boss’ says we have to start walking! I keep trying to tell here that folks around here walk because they HAVE to! We live out in the country and LOTS of people walk by the house to catch the bus..just like over there.. I just feel a bit uneasy walking around the dirt roads here, like the only gringo around.. just to get exercise! If I walk from the house to the quebrada out back 2x daily, it’s enough with the hill & all.
Anyhow, enjoy your holidays & we’ll see u in March for some more cheap Ron Abuelo Anejo & good times in Panama!
KK