Christmas Eve

For those of us who live far away from family and are unable to make the trek back home to be with them it can be a pretty lonely time of year. It's easy to wallow in self pity and wish for things to be different and maybe even wonder at what point what went wrong - whether there was some cosmic reason for things to have derailed the way they have and to lament over what misery has befallen us over the past many months or even years.
It's easy to go there, but not the easiest way to spend the holiday.

Christmas may be a time for family, but really - what defines family? I think it's my 'family' that keeps me from feeling so morose and sorry for myself because when I really sit back to think - I have more to be happy about than I do to be sorry for. The things that are not as good are not longstanding things - these are situational and are things that will not follow me or stay with me forever. These are minor annoyances in the grand scheme of things.

But my friends - my friends are positive things in my life that just seem to grow and nurture, and are supportive and steadfast. I have been blessed with friends, some I have nicknamed and written about here, others have been referred to but all have encouraged and loved, supported and cried with, laughed and enjoyed. My family of friends is what makes me thankful and as we come to the close of another year, I am so very awed by their strength and wisdom.

I am reminded of the story of "Footprints" when a man has a dream where he has walked on the beach, two sets of footprints in the sand where his life was good and full, and one set of footprints during his trials. He asks the Lord why there were one set of footprints during his trials, why had the Lord left him? The Lord responds that when the man's life was good, the Lord walked alongside him, but during those trials, and when there was only one set of footprints, that was when the Lord carried him.

I was thinking about that earlier - and it made me smile. I think if I were to write my own version of footprints - it would go something like this:

I am standing on a beach and turn to look back over my life and I see in this last year there are my footprints, a few kneemarks in the sand where I have fallen down, a few handmarks where I have refused to get up, then deeper marks where I sank down - afraid and alone - trying to catch my breath. But then, a set of footprints appear. Then another set, then another and another. These footprints come from every direction - congregating on the one spot and they are flurried in their movements, appearing haphazard and senseless. But upon closer look, these footprints aren't lost or without direction and purpose. These footprints have come together to support and then to play. Perhaps, it was a pickup game of beach volleyball. Some members of the team are 'bumpers' - they dig in, catching the ball before it hits the sand, keeping the ball in play and setting it up for the 'setters'. The setters are agile, nimble fingered and pop the ball high into the air for the more aggressive team members - the 'smashers' or 'spikers'. These members drive the ball out of our court (or sometimes fool our opponents with a gentle tip) and remind us that we are so very powerful when we work together as a team.

I stand there, feeling the breeze on my face, and taking in the sight of all of these footprints...and realize that I am part of a family right here. My family of friends and THAT is why I am smiling this Christmas Eve.

Thank you to each and every one of you.
My thoughts, my wellwishes and my love are with you all.