Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Everyone

I find it hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve, even though I am not the Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge. In fact, I am fully on board for the festivities of this season. I think about the beautiful tree where every decoration is hung with a story; the delicious food we cook and eat reminds us of our traditions;  incredible music from around the world fills our home, and the kind words, toasts, stories and joy experienced from the youngest to the oldest, oft brings a tear to our eye. Even though this year our festivities are quieter and few of us gather, we can still be meaning makers, momentous moment spotters, cheerleaders for celebrations of all kinds and  hopeful and pragmatic realists.  Let’s light a candle every night as a reminder that our grit and perseverance will pay off and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I give you my annual quote from GK Chesterton:

“What has happened to me has been the very reverse of what appears to be the experience of most of my friends. Instead of dwindling to a point, Santa Claus has grown larger and larger in my life until he fills almost the whole of it. It happened in this way.

As a child I was faced with a phenomenon requiring explanation.  I hung up at the end of my bed an empty stocking, which in the morning became a full stocking.  I had done nothing to produce the things that filled it.  I had not worked for them, or made them or helped to make them.  I had not even been good – far from it.

And the explanation was that a certain being whom people called Santa Claus was benevolently disposed toward me. . . .  What we believed was that a certain benevolent agency did give us those toys for nothing. And, as I say, I believe it still.  I have merely extended the idea.

Then I only wondered who put the toys in the stocking; now I wonder who put the stocking by the bed, and the bed in the room, and the room in the house, and the house on the planet, and the great planet in the void.

Once I only thanked Santa Claus for a few dollars and crackers. Now, I thank him for stars and street faces, and wine and the great sea. Once I thought it delightful and astonishing to find a present so big that it only went halfway into the stocking.  Now I am delighted and astonished every morning to find a present so big that it takes two stockings to hold it, and then leaves a great deal outside; it is the large and preposterous present of myself, as to the origin of which I can offer no suggestion except that Santa Claus gave it to me in a fit of peculiarly fantastic goodwill.” 

and

My wishes

I leave you with my wishes that life will give you strength and courage to work with all the trials facing you and that you are living with, right now. May it be balanced with the capacity to find beauty, truth, joy and love in the midst of your sorrows. For those of us who realize our good fortune, at this time,  may we take nothing for granted, cherish these moments, enjoy our days, and reach out to those who need us.

May you stay curious and open to surprise. And as H Jackson Brown says: May your life be crowded with unexpected joys.” 

Notes

Note 1:) From the bottom of my heart I wish you the best that life can offer.

Note 2:) This tree is a watercolour of my friend Patricia’s tree from long ago. The banner is from Shutterstock.

Note 3:) I thank you for your kindness throughout this year. I never take your reading my blog as a given, or for granted. Consequently, it is an honor for me to have you here, and in the spirit, of the best of this season, I send my warmest greetings to you and your loved ones. See you next week, Trudy