It's Christmastime and I'm a little rough around the edges-something that I really don't want to be, and it's taken me the the entire season up to now for me to be able to admit it. I don't need Christmas to be perfect, but it has always been a healing, rallying time for me-and I'm struggling to keep ahold of the brightness this year. Oh I have had moments of joy. I live for them. But this December has brought loss, illness, injury, fear, worry, costly repairs, and taxes on time and energy. It all just kind of cropped up. 

I'm noticing this is happening for other people as well. I'm not sure why, but it's a different kind of December.

This doesn't keep me from enjoying the season, but I've worked up quite the proverbial sweat in chasing Christmas Spirit. I try not to let it make me grouchy that it has been difficult-but Christmas Spirit comes naturally to me and it throws me off not to have it always at my beck and call. Having to reach for it is not too common a skill in my wheelhouse. I have hit some lows as I beat myself up for letting life get to me, but in the endless conversations in my head I have realized a few important things. To be clear-there are many, many important things, but these three stand out to me right now.

We Three Things:

People Need Each Other-all the time, but especially right now when the world NEEDS to be full of hope for everyone. If you become aware of anything-large or small-that will make someone's day brighter, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Give the compliment. Say hi to someone who is having a hard time meeting your gaze. Do a favor. Let someone in your lane. Smile. Be involved in cheerful things instead of just watching them. Be happy for people. Give grace to the ones who need a moment to gather their strength. Be present-if only for the two seconds you have to stop in your flurry of busy-ness. And listen when you hear those whisperings. You'll feel the joy of being needed, and others will have whatever you gave them in their time of need. I'm always so grateful to know I have listened and followed through appropriately. We don't always get to know-so those times when we are graced with the knowledge that our follow through made the difference can be priceless.  I've been given  chances to remember to do these things countless times this month-and been the recipient countless times as well. I want to carry them with me.  

There are ALWAYS blessings to fill in some of the holes in our souls. I find myself treasuring the smallest of things from  a checker who actually smiles in encouragement across the store when I'm weary-to a dime found on the ground at the end of the conveyor belt on his line. The news that a friend is well after being ill. The child who asks me if he gets to see me in groups today. Having the song that means so much to me sung by the very children in my little school choir. Gifts I wasn't expecting. A parent's thank you for loving their child. Hugs.

And then there's the big stuff. Being allowed to leave right after the children left the school and start my Christmas Break. Coming home to my little slice of heaven. Learning my beloved relative was able to end her radiation treatment. Finding out though my grown children were close, they were not in the German Christmas Village that was on the news because of a very sad incident. Having friends invite us to their beautiful home to give us a night of music and Christmas Spirit we have been so desperately craving. Meeting two talented and kind musicians who shared their exceptional music, love of God, and graciousness with us. This evening filled my Christmas cup to overflowing and then some. I am forever grateful for the people who made this night possible. I will never forget. it. They even took time in making connections. What a night!

There's something to be said for seeing the good in others and being the recipient of that good. Just the best hole filler for the soul that there ever was. I tend to think that God himself provides these "hole fillers' for our soul so that during the soul sucking times of our lives we aren't left completely empty because He finds these blessings to fill us up until we are stronger. I can't tell you how many times I have felt them happen in my life and also be prompted to help someone else receive them in theirs. What a great plan-to fill the needs of another-and then get our needs filled from someone else as well. Genius. 

The wonderful Rob Richards taking time with us. He is
delightful in every way.

Rob and his dear friend and musicianary Alex Zsolt.  Just 
amazing, genuine and gifted people.

The Reason

This gives me goosebumps! Alex Zsolt and Rob Richards are 

incredible both independently and as a team!

Everything- and I mean EVERYTHING-really is just about love. Every action or reaction, every incident or blessing, every moment of trauma or glory-love plays a part some way, somehow. It's  your errand to find it. Love makes the world go round. It heals hearts. It opens doors. It breaks down walls. Love listens. It is energy. It is peace and comfort. Love softens blows, opens the mind, and seals the cracks that heavy things leave in us. Love smooths out the rough edges and makes the potholes of life less deep. Love is how we got here and how we will leave. It is how the Universe runs. It is pure. It is from God and anything else good you have in your life. Use it. Believe in it. I do. And I am grateful. 

To see and hear more wonderous things from Musicianary Alex Zsolt, go here:https://pianocreations.com/  

To find out more about the incredible Rob Richards, Disney's El Capitan Theater Organist, go here:https://www.facebook.com/rob.richards.9440