Column: Something About Nothing, by Julie Seedorf

It is the eve of Christmas. The presents are wrapped or not. People are preparing for church and family gatherings. It is time for the Silent and Holy Night of Christmas.

I would like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday, whichever you prefer. I wish for you a year of love, warmth, blessings and peace.

Thank you for sticking with me through the silly, the serious, the boring and the … what? columns.

The events of the past weeks are on all of our minds. Christmas will be a difficult time for those who have lost their children. Christmas will be a difficult time for those who are mourning their loved ones. Christmas will be a difficult time for those that have lost their homes in the hurricane. Christmas will be a difficult time for those that are alone or ill or homeless. Not everyone has peace on earth. Not everyone will feel the blessings and peace of this night.

Many of our service men and women are away from their families this holiday.

Where is the hope for these people? That is where we come in. When they can’t feel the peace or the blessings or the hope of this season we can reach out. We can let some of our hope touch them. It might be a kind word, a hug, a meal or sitting with them in the silence of the moment. It might be a prayer offered to your higher power for them.

My presents are wrapped and unwrapped by my cats. My meal is cooking but not at my house. My cookies are baked (by all of my friends) and sitting by the tree along with a glass of milk waiting for Santa to come. I may have to eat them because he may stop at my grandchildren’s instead. I didn’t give him my list. I have to find my kerchief and find pa his cap so we can settle down for a long winter nap. At least until Borris and Natasha wake us up.

There is a song that we used to sing when my kids were in Sunday school. It was called “Christmas is a Time For Love.” If there is nothing else you can do this Christmas, no matter what your circumstance, you can love. We can one love another, we can love ourselves. We can share that love. It doesn’t cost you anything to share that love except for faith that the love you share will be passed on to someone else and the chain will begin.

Love can change the world one person at a time. My wish for you is that you keep the love of Christmas in your heart all year long.

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” — Charles Dickens

 

Wells resident Julie Seedorf’s column appears every Monday. Send email to her at thecolumn@bevcomm.net.