my turn
[ by john shuff ]
Season’s Greetings
STILL MORE REASONS TO LOVE BEING HOME—AND SOME TIPS FOR MAKING THE HOLIDAYS BRIGHTER
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n this issue we talk about all the things we love about Boca, and that resonates with me as I settle back into our high season here after a long summer in Park City, Utah. There is nothing like being away to make a homecoming special—particularly this time of year. This year I am relishing the thought of being reunited with my grandchildren at Christmas. They are 7 and 6 now—and still believers. (They make me wish we had a chimney for Santa, but thankfully, they are not picky about how the toys arrive.) The kids have made the holidays come alive again for my wife, Margaret Mary and I—and we make the most of it. I also love being home with my old friends in Boca— meeting them for movies, attending the occasional blacktie event, having them over now and then for an easy dinner and bridge. This has its bittersweet moments as I see all of us growing older, or getting sick, or losing a loved one. Nothing pulls you up short quite like realizing how much faster time is spinning, and how every holiday season is made more precious because of it. This is the kind of approach I want to take this year rather than getting caught up in Boca’s winter traffic, all the shopping madness, too many social engagements, work pressures and money woes. I want to focus on what I love about living here, how warm and supportive my family is, how we can all make this time of year magical—not stressful. So I’m going to take a few pointers from my dad, who used to keep a handy list of little life lessons on a yellow legal pad on his desk. Here’s a sample:
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u Drive carefully. It’s not only Margaret Mary Shuff, cars that can be recalled by Madelyn Rocha, John their maker. Shuff and Chloe Rocha u If you can’t be kind, have the decency to be vague. u No one cares if you can’t dance well; just get up and dance. In other words, get in the hunt. u We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty, and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box. u Always make right turns, thus avoiding crossing in front of traffic. u Always keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them. u Celebrate those birthdays. The more you have, the longer you’re around. u Accept that some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue. u A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. u And Dad’s favorite from Will Rogers: “Never squat with your spurs on.” The take away? Lighten up. Enjoy the moment. Celebrate the season. Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to you and your family.
BOCAMAG.COM december 2015
11/4/15 2:23 PM