According to Gaylon Ferguson: “The root of materialism is the sense that we are, in some fundamental way, inadequate. We feel, secretly, that there is something basic missing. Something is originally wrong with us – and the obvious solution to this inner lack is to get something , someone or something, from outside to fill this inner gap.”

This Christmas I found myself alone but not lonely in our condo. A former student with whom I was supposed to have lunch was suddenly hospitalized. My husband was with my cousins for a traditional Christmas reunion.

I love being alone without being lonely, I cgerished the freedom from having to negotiate the Christmas traffic. I felt I did not need anything. I could order food any time I wanted from a favorite diner downstairs. After all I have lost all craving for rich food shortly after I had a mild stroke in May 2012.

I had completed two crossword puzzles. I had checked my news feeds on Facebook. I replied to all text messages. I finished the day’s housework. I was inspired to read pages from my spiritual books;we went to an anticipated Mass on the 24th.

What a grand Christmas gift; I wasn’t anxious over our daughter in the USA with her boyfriend nor over my husband out to lunch with my cousins.

Materialism??