Believe

Well it always comes, doesn't it, sneaking up so quickly after months of waiting.

Like a long-lost friend; different each time, but essentially the same at the core, Christmas arrives with its traditions, expectations, frustrations, sadness.

The next twenty-four hours will be a whirl of activity and "too-muches":

• too much work
• too much food
• too much under the tree
• too much family
• too much commercialism
• too much everything!

And yet, I am glad of those too-muches.  I hug them closely.  I remember other years, where other women did the work and I was the one under the tree playing with the toys.  There will be Christmases ahead where others will do the cooking.  There will be Christmases where I will be simply a story told around the table.

That's okay.

Because you know what?  I believe.

I still hear the bell.  Santa Clause, and his spirit, will always exist in me.

I believe in

• love
• friendship
• letting go
• holding tight
• fairy dust
• the way the world can conspire to get us what we need if we just open our hearts fully
• sadness, because haven't we all had a Christmas that didn't "cut the mustard"?  A Christmas where we were heartbroken, financially broken, sad?  If you haven't then count yourselves among the lucky, though to be honest, I wouldn't trade the bad times - they are our teachers and we need them to fully appreciate the good times
• caring
• sharing
• waking up early on Christmas Day and laying in bed and thinking "it came!"
• peace and fellowship, the energy of which may not last the other 364 days of the years, but whose energy cannot help but permeate
• reaching out when someone needs help
• respecting when someone doesn't want your help
• toys
• choral music
• The Chieftains
• Bing Crosby
• Nat King Cole
• The Pogues
• faith
• belief - because when we believe in something bigger than ourselves, something grander, we don't feel quite so alone

Most of all on this day, I think of children the world over, children who need our love and our money and our goodwill.  Children who deserve the same opportunities to be loved, to play, to succeed.  

God willing, there will be other Christmases.  But this Christmas, in all of its glories and its warts, is a gift.  And I believe in saying thank you for a gift.

So: THANK YOU!

I hope that whatever your faith, however you celebrate this season of the winter solstice, you take some time to be with your family and friends and reflect on your multitude of blessings.  I know I will.

Merry Christmas to you all and much love!  Your stopping by to say hello always makes me so happy and makes me feel so humble and thankful.  Truly, you are the Magi for me!

xoxo Wendy