Be Someone's Light

 I'm taking a short break from packing to say a quick hello and wish you Merry Christmas. It's the time of year we head to the mountains and enjoy a few days with family in a Christmas wonderland. We've visited this same place since our daughters were 2 and 4. And it is an extravagant display of things that glitter, things that sparkle and things that dazzle. The decorations at my own house are pretty simple this year. So I'll enjoy looking at the festive decorations at the resort.

But I always am reminded that not all Christmases are filled with glitz and glitter. People have sad Christmases. My grandfather died on December 18 many, many years ago. I was nine but still remember that different, somber Christmas. Some people skip Christmas out of necessity. One year after the holiday I asked a friend if she and her daughter had a good Christmas. She told me that they went to church but there were no gifts. None. There was no money that year. 

And there are many who are sick at Christmas. The sad little tree in the photo was the only Christmas tree at my daughter's house a decade ago. Our 9-month-old granddaughter spent her first Christmas in the hospital. And her 4-year-old sister was distressed that they had no Christmas tree. So she took matters into her own hands. She found the Charlie Brown tree and decorated it by herself. 

That little tree also reminds me of hearing how kind people were during that stressful time. My daughter and family were living a thousand miles away from us then. So strangers and neighbors and friends showed up. Gifts were delivered to the hospital. Food arrived at the door. 

So as we celebrate during the next couple of weeks, remember those who are not in a place to celebrate. Keep your eyes and your ears and your heart open. Today is the winter solstice. Tonight is the longest night—the longest period of darkness—we will have this year. Be someone's light. 💫