President
Wolfgang Daiss
Tel: +49 179-7642598
president(at)eaasdc.eu

Dear members,

Christmas and the New Year are lying ahead of us and with them the much quoted stress of the season. This may present itself differently for each of us. For me, the season is more relaxed, since I don't have to mow the lawn. Therefore I can give myself to other tasks, such as snow shoveling and taking care of the last EAASDC-tasks, that I have resolved to still accomplish in 2010. Alas, I had to correct my plans in that last regard several times already. After all, things don't progress as fast as I would like them to. Sigh.

But before I miss Christmas between all that, I will put myself in the right mood with a visit to the Stuttgart Christmas market. And then it's already time for quiet and contemplation. For me, that means to huddle comfortably by the fire, look at the christmas tree, close my eyes, find time for myself and my thoughts and let an eventful year pass in front of me. I think of the positive encounters I had in Dachau and Gelsenkirchen, in spite of all the dismal clouds that were hovering above us. I remember, how only one year ago, I was an unknown and unburdened member of the Square Dance scene, and wonder if I have made the right decision for myself and for you. I think about the fact, that at times we were able to laugh right from the heart, and that we are willing to work on our future together. I think about the existence of each of us, our sometimes so easy, yet sometimes so difficult human nature and our mutual desire for a harmonic and peaceful future, in our families and close environment, in our club and the EAASDC, in our country and around the world.

In doing this I realize for myself that at the core we are all the same, with all our weaknesses and strengths, and this gives me a feeling of belonging. A belonging to a worldwide community that needs, besides all different opinions, one thing, which I wish each and everyone of you with the following words:

I wish you time

I do not wish you a lot of gifts,
I wish you that, which most people don't have
I wish you time, to be happy and laugh
And if you use it, you can make something of it.

I wish you time for your acting and thinking
not just for yourself, but also to give away.
I wish you time, not to hurry and run
but the time to be able to be content

I wish you time, not only to pass away
I wish that you may have it left
as time for wonder and time for trust
instead of just looking for the time on the clock

I wish you time to reach for the stars
and time to grow, that means to mature
I wish you time for new hope and love
it makes no sense to put this time off

I wish you time to find yourself
to feel each day, each hour as a blessing
I wish you time, also to forgive guilt
I wish you: "To have time to live"

(by Elli Michler)

In this spirit to all of you a Merry Christmas and a smooth delivery into the new year!

Grüßle
Wuffi