By Scott Shephard

Had you asked me 60 some years ago what I wanted for Christmas, I would have said a snare drum. Ringo Starr of the Beatles was my hero and I wanted to be just like him. I’m happy to say that Santa delivered that drum. For the rest of my Christmas vacation, I proceeded to drive everyone in our house crazy with my inexpert pounding.

Had you asked me 30 years ago what I wanted, I might have said that I hoped that our two sons, who were entering their teen years, would continue to grow wiser and would stay safe and healthy. Luckily, that happened, too.

But now? A Vikings victory this weekend? Some new, cool electronic tool or toy? Both would be nice, but neither is what I want.

As I was tending* a simmering crockpot of oyster stew last night (a decades-old Shephard Christmas tradition), I was thinking about the difference between my wants and needs. And I realized that most of my wants are truly trivial. I also realized how blessed I am that my needs are mostly met. I checked out Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs just now and think I have made it to the top tier (Self Actualization), though I still have work to do.

I am well aware that not everyone reading this may be in the same place in life that I am. I can only hope the best for you. And, though you haven’t asked, I offer a few Christmas wishes: May you find meaning and purpose. May you find family and friendship. May you find health and happiness.

And, to borrow a phrase from my famous friend BZ, I hope you know that you are loved.

Merry Christmas!

*Some shepherds tend their flocks on Christmas Eve. Others tend a pot of soup

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