Quote of the Day: from the song Do You Hear What I Hear
Said the King to the people everwhere,
“Listen to what I say.”
Pray for peace, people everywhere,
listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child,
sleeping in the night,
He will bring us goodness and light
To hear Martina McBride sing this song of hope with an orchestra and choir, click on this Youtube video.
Here’s a glimpse at what it looks like in Minnesota this week. We don’t need to just dream about a white Christmas. This is nothing to what happened south of us. The Minneapolis/St. Paul area was pounded with snow. The Metrodome roof collapsed. You might have heard about that on the news or seen the video. OMG! The Vikings game had to be postponed and moved to Detriot.
The good that happens from a hard knock by Mother Nature is that you quickly see neighbor helping neighbor. The one with the snowblower helps out the ones who only have a shovel, and the ones with a shovel band together to make the work go faster. When my neice’s car got stuck in the street, friends and strangers alike dug it out.
Snow is easier to handle than the subzero temps. We wake up to the weatherman warning us that the thermometer reads negative 18 degrees Fahrenheit with a windchill factor of minus 40. We just want to stay under our flannel sheets and down comforters. Who wants to go out in that! We start to feel isolated.
Isolation is not good for me. Add to that the short days and long dark nights and the increased illnesses that happen this time of year. Well, it gets harder and harder to stay in a happy holiday mood. I feel sad for my friend who’s four-year-old son died this summer. It’s so hard for her this Christmas. I feel sad for another friend who is recovering from an abusive relationship and worrying about her kids when they’re with their dad. I just learned that a friend of mine was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. I can hardly type that and not break down crying. That sounds really scary. She has a 12-year-old daughter and triplets who are seven (two girls and a boy). She’s been in our Mothers of Multiples group. My age.
So, yesterday, I was getting cranky at Christmas. What is helping me is being with people IRL (in real life). Human contact with good people who care about those who might be having a blue Christmas. Loving people who don’t expect you to be happy just because it’s the holidays. And, nurturing people who shine light on those dark emotions.
If you’re experiencing the dark days of December, know that you’re not alone. Reach out to others. Look for the light. “Do you hear what I hear?” A child is born to bring us goodness and light.
Journey on, even through the cold and the dark. Nothing ever stays the same. Cling to the the promise of new life.
Journaling Prompt: What are you feeling blue about this season? How can you reach out to someone to find goodness and light?
Mary-
It is the sadness that overwhelms us in the cycle of life and death, especially when we’re close to those in turmoil…This Christmas won’t be cheerful for many, but, as long as they have good friends and loving family, they’ll survive it and hear the goodness of his Song…
Peace & blessings
Clara
Mary,
I understand. For some reason, this Christmas has been really hard for me. I lost my dad 3 years ago but it’s hitting me really hard this year.
Keep yourself surrounded by those who love you and spread as much light as you can possibly muster (and even spread it when you don’t have it. what is it they say: fake it ’til you make it?)
Take care of yourself!
Hugs,
Jen
I think if we try to do Christmas our way, too, in some small way, it helps. Watch that favorite Christmas movie. Or wear those jingle bell earrings. Have a hot chocolate in front of the tree. Happiness sometimes comes in small ways.
P.S. Send some of that snow our way for a White Christmas! We were in the 50s yesterday, pouring rain :/
oh, Mary , this just slayed me.
why is life so hard sometimes.
sending hugs and hope
(sorry I’m so behind in reading, I’ll catch up, living my own little drama lately. very little in the grand scheme of so much suffering )
Very touching post, Mary. After reading this, I feel so blessed and encouraged. I don’t do well with isolation either, and I’m thankful for kind, uplifting people like you. Thanks for writing what you did.
Wow!
I’ve never seen snow at Christmas. So to me, that looks like what I’d imagine a Christmas carol is all about!
Your photos are beautiful, however remind me NOT to visit you until spring. I agree the snow is easier to deal with than the freezing temps.
It is the familiar things (and often small) that can get us through life: child’s smile, generosity to others, encouraging word.
Hang in there, Mary. The goodness and light will return. I worry about my friend who lost one of her twin daughters this summer. She’s not doing well. We can pray for them and offer our shoulders. You and all of your friends will be in my prayers.
Mary, as you can tell, my frantic schedule has continued. I’m needing a break. It might not be until we descend upon your home that I get it, so I am looking forward to that, truly.
As you can expect, I empathize with you as a friend who has a friend who has cancer. It is a very difficult journey. I will keep your friend, and you, in my prayers in a special way as you move toward Christmas. It’s hard to make such of such things. The only way to make sense of it is total surrender to what we cannot see and the goodness that God intends to show us each day. I know your presence in your friend’s life will be a light to her and her family in what lies again. And we can still hope in a miracle!
I’m glad you’re seeking and having those IRL connections. It can make a huge difference.
Love the mention of flannel sheets. We don’t have any, but I’ve always wanted some.
Peace,
Rox
Those who commented above voiced so much of what I feel. One can’t help but feel down when sad clouds hover. Christmas has been so commercialized one can easily feel as though something’s missing. Especially when the weather’s really tough. Hang in there, Mary. You’re all in my prayers. (My friend Susan, whose son was murdered, is regaining her mental strength. There’s always hope!)