I think anyone who has recently come back from the XD CORE is missing it in some way, it’s just natural. Even I, as much as I said I wouldn’t sorrowfully miss camp and would blend seamlessly back into home life, have gotten all the expected reminiscent pangs that comes from a wonderful 3 weeks. I miss you all of you people, I really do.

And I could go into all the how’s and wherefores of how and why I miss you, and perhaps I will sometime, but this post is not about how to reminisce, it’s about how to counter unhelpful reminiscence. Not that reminiscence is bad, in no way, but when it makes you feel awful and feel bad about everything around you then yes, it becomes a tad obstructive. This post is not to belittle the past and the things of the past, it’s to appreciate the things of the present.

Anyone who knows me well and has received at least a dozen letters from me will know this is a typical Abner trick. And while I hope it works for you and puts a smile on your face when you need it like it does for me, if it doesn’t, no hard feelings. This is just my little cure for when I miss a really good time, I try to think of as many things that I can enjoy right where and how I am, and usually the sheer amount of things makes me happy enough, and if it’s not enough, doing one of the things can do the trick.

So think about it. If you’re at home and missing all your friends from the XD, think about the things around you that you love and enjoy, the things you can do right now that will bring a smile to your face and even remain in your memory for a long time to come.

· Having a really fun and foolish time with the kids. Water fights, food fights. A dimpled smile offering you a crayon masterpiece or all the excitement and passion that goes into that MC spelling “dictionary” for the first time, or that baby taking its first step, or saying an uncommon new word, or the countless other things that kids do on a daily basis that make our lives somehow more worthwhile. Hugs, kisses, hilarious facial expressions, doggie eyes. I think we’re all blessed to have kids around us, so enjoy them.

· Singing in the rain.

· Going on a roof.

· A cool breeze.

· Pets.

· Watching Vas sing in tongues.

· A good conversation with a good person about a good topic.

· Getting an awesome prophecy that just totally makes your day, helps you see something like you never saw it before.

· A friend who’s company you just don’t know you could do without.

· Home inspirations, birthday parties, times when the power goes off and you just bump into everyone, times when a room floods or a roof collapses or a wall caves in that’s just so unexpected it can’t help you from laughing.

· Getting up earlier than usual, grabbing someone else and singing some songs together, just like Sam and Anna’s good ol’ inspirations.

· When something in the word just totally stands out to you and you read it over once or twice and then sigh “Gosh, that’s so true!”

· Sleeping in late, REALLY late!

· Staying up late, REALLY late – talking, chatting, reading a fantastic book that begs for you to turn the page.

· Brothers and sisters on days you really are happy your parents liked having more kids than just you.

· Computer games, preferably multi-player with your gaming match sitting next to you, so tense and pressing the keys so hard the keyboard breaks in half and the tables legs collapse … but it doesn’t matter, cuz you won and now have the new highscore.

· Getting mail.

· Sending a birthday card.

· Doing something you know someone really likes, needs, or wants that just makes you feel so good inside afterwards.

· Eating ice-cream, or potato chips, or fantastic salsa, or pizza, or falafels, or rice cereal, or … or even just drinking a cold glass of water!

· In your mind coming up with an entirely new look to your room, or the kitchen, or even your old 1984 clunker of a car with no expenses spared – new wallpaper, new brushed metal counters, new tail fin. Best done with another imaginative person.

· Getting new mailings, especially like in my case where no one had picked them up for the last 3 months and there was a stack a meter high of paper to shift through. I enjoyed David Komic and Laban for over an hour.

· Coffee.

· Chocolate.

· More coffee and more chocolate!

· Sex, or dreaming of sex.

· The Lord, cuz he’s fresh everyday and always has something interesting to say or do and something that can cheer you up, if you just ask him or fight off the despair long enough to praise him, and find how wonderful it makes you feel.

Well I could certainly go on, but think of some for yourself, and above all, make sure to go to the Lord when you’re feeling down, he knows exactly what you need! Love you all and miss you and am praying that the Lord is doing special things in your lives.

PS. If anyone wants to add something that makes them feel happy to do or think about, add it to this post via a comment.