Periodically we get to a point where we achieve a milestone in our lives and it provides an opportunity for us to celebrate an accomplishment.  Whether it was the birth of a new baby in the family, reaching a weight loss goal or successfully obtaining a new job, these are all examples of when we realize that there is plenty of reason for happiness in our lives.  It is easy to forget when we have a multitude of things happening in our lives that there are plenty of things to be grateful for or to commemorate such achievements.  When given the opportunity to celebrate, another thing that happens to a lot of people is that the moment goes by very quickly and they forget to be in the moment when it was occurring.  The holiday season allows us a period to embrace all of the happiness and hope that can come with the yuletide season.  I like to write Christmas cards and take the time to say hello to many friends and acquaintances that have had an impact in my life over the years.  I may not be in touch as much as I would like to be throughout the year, however, I do think about all of these individuals and in particular during this period and reminisce about the fond memories of the past.  A person can leave an imprint in our lives, very much like a footstep that one leaves on a sandy beach in the ocean.  When you first make the imprint it is visible with plenty of details that capture the exact image of your foot.  Then as time begins to go by, either the water or someone else may walk by and the imprint begins to fade slowly.  Our ability to interact with people over the years has a similar quality in that the freshness of the relationship exists more profoundly at the beginning and as time or years go by, our imprint of those people also fades.  The huge difference is that people are unlike sand and how they touched us or made an impact in our lives can live on until the day we are no longer here.   Those memories can live on even stronger, as we lose those impactful people.  Therefore, as you continue with the holiday season and buzz around town picking up gifts for your loved ones or perhaps write a few cards, don't forget to acknowledge the greatness and the imprints of all of those that have contributed to your life.