This holiday season, I’ve noticed people occasionally hesitating to exchange Christmas greetings with me or the family. Or they might qualify it by saying something like, “Have a Merry Christmas. At least as merry as it can be under the circumstances.” All delivered with a rueful smile. I know why and I understand perfectly and it doesn’t upset or bother me in the least. It comes from a lovely place inside that wishes they could make this all go away and make it like it was before The Little Bastard crashed the party. I wish it would all go away too, but it will not get any more from me than what I absolutely have to give it. So there. Pbbbbttttttttt! Take that, you LB.
TLB has not stopped nor will it ever stop me from doing what I’ve always done, which is enjoy those little gifts God puts out in front of you each day and hopes you’ll notice and enjoy. The sunrise (although I’m more of a sunset girl, not a morning girl), the Flint Hills, and the greeting from a friend, neighbor, or maybe a complete stranger. That last one - the greeting from a stranger - my friend Debbie is known for. She has a megawatt smile that people fall right into and she shares it freely with any and all.* The other day, a stranger on whom one of those smiles was bestowed remarked to her that she just made his day. That’s just what I love about a Christmas wish. It’s one of those little gifts from God rife with many things unsaid but certainly offered when we greet each other with Merry Christmas!
Right now, I’m riding down the road in our truck, piloted by our oldest daughter Anna, snuggled up next to our youngest daughter Laura with Joe co-piloting in the front seat. We just drove by west part of the ranch, known as The British (and one of the prettiest places on this earth) and the sun is shining brightly. We had Christmas with my family last night, then all of us squished into one pew at church this morning and now the 4 of us are on our way to Garden Plain to spend time with Joe’s side of the family. Yay! I can’t wait!
Merry Christmas indeed! I get it, my friends. When you call or write, when you text me, when you pray, when you give gifts, when you ask about me, when you offer your help with anything, when you help me knock out my Christmas list, when you do all those things you’re doing, I get it. And I thank you, although that seems so unbelievably inadequate. I am fortunate and I am blessed. And I say it again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
* While Debbie draws people in, my other best buddy Mary Ann and I both suffer with a countenance that makes people think we’re mad. If I’m honest, I probably deserve my scary reputation, but not MA. You’ll not find a kinder person on the face of this earth. After all, we’ve been best buddies for 26 years and sale partners for a very long time. Only the nicest person could put up with me during sale season. I have heard this scary yet neutral expression we both have referred to as B#$^@ Resting Face. If you want to know more about this unfortunate but all too common condition, here is a brief educational video for you. Warning: contains plenty of swear words.
TLB has not stopped nor will it ever stop me from doing what I’ve always done, which is enjoy those little gifts God puts out in front of you each day and hopes you’ll notice and enjoy. The sunrise (although I’m more of a sunset girl, not a morning girl), the Flint Hills, and the greeting from a friend, neighbor, or maybe a complete stranger. That last one - the greeting from a stranger - my friend Debbie is known for. She has a megawatt smile that people fall right into and she shares it freely with any and all.* The other day, a stranger on whom one of those smiles was bestowed remarked to her that she just made his day. That’s just what I love about a Christmas wish. It’s one of those little gifts from God rife with many things unsaid but certainly offered when we greet each other with Merry Christmas!
Right now, I’m riding down the road in our truck, piloted by our oldest daughter Anna, snuggled up next to our youngest daughter Laura with Joe co-piloting in the front seat. We just drove by west part of the ranch, known as The British (and one of the prettiest places on this earth) and the sun is shining brightly. We had Christmas with my family last night, then all of us squished into one pew at church this morning and now the 4 of us are on our way to Garden Plain to spend time with Joe’s side of the family. Yay! I can’t wait!
Merry Christmas indeed! I get it, my friends. When you call or write, when you text me, when you pray, when you give gifts, when you ask about me, when you offer your help with anything, when you help me knock out my Christmas list, when you do all those things you’re doing, I get it. And I thank you, although that seems so unbelievably inadequate. I am fortunate and I am blessed. And I say it again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
* While Debbie draws people in, my other best buddy Mary Ann and I both suffer with a countenance that makes people think we’re mad. If I’m honest, I probably deserve my scary reputation, but not MA. You’ll not find a kinder person on the face of this earth. After all, we’ve been best buddies for 26 years and sale partners for a very long time. Only the nicest person could put up with me during sale season. I have heard this scary yet neutral expression we both have referred to as B#$^@ Resting Face. If you want to know more about this unfortunate but all too common condition, here is a brief educational video for you. Warning: contains plenty of swear words.
RSS Feed