Yes, it's December 26th and yes, I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas. The reason is simple. My wish for each of you, is that the feeling of joy and peace that surrounds us at Christmas, is with each of you every day of the year. Not just on one day.
My holiday was quiet. Spent at home with my husband and two adult children. No piles of presents under the tree. No stockings stuffed with treats and tiny presents. No bounty of family and friends to make the day brighter. My parents are 900 miles away, my mother-n-law is in a retirement home (we visited her on Christmas Eve) and no grandchildren, as of yet. For the first time ever, we exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve. Daughter had to work Christmas morning. So, to say the least, it was not like any other Christmas we had shared before.
This led me to do a lot of thinking about those people who spent Christmas in a shelter or their car or a park bench. Alone, probably hungry, maybe needing a hot shower and clean clothes. And what about the child who buried their parent in 2016 or the spouse who laid to rest their life long partner or God forbid, the parent who said a final goodbye to their child? Those are the folks who were on my heart this Christmas. We all know people like this. They don't want to see the Christmas lights or hear a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays shouted at them every time they turn around. Their hearts are broken and Christmas isn't going to mend it in just one day.
I don't know about you but I tried really hard to smile more during the last few weeks. Tried really hard to connect with everyone I came into contact with along my journey. Then it dawned on me, it's not enough. It's not enough to do this just because it's Christmas. That's not what Christ had in mind.
I know, I know, those of you who don't know me personally. Who just know me by the stories I write and the tidbits you read on another blog or contest on Facebook. You are probably wondering what the heck is this all about. Here is what that is all about.
This has been a horrific year. From the losses our country, our world has suffered, to the circus that was the 2016 Presidential election. Too many people have suffered this year. Too many have lost loved ones. Too many have lost hope. I don't want to be a part of that. I want to be the one that says "I love you and I care". Doesn't matter to me who you love, the color of your skin, where you live, what you believe or how you live your life. What matters to me, is that you know someone in this crazy, screwed up, devastated world cares about "you".
Will you join me this year and find a little more kindness in your heart for those that are hurting around you. Open your eyes and see them. They are everywhere. Take a moment to smile and offer a kind word. It can change the world if we all do this. I believe in the miracle of Christmas but I believe it's meant to share everyday of the year.
CJ
No comments:
Post a Comment