Fellow MT'ers. I have to admit...the past coupel of years I've struggled with finding that Holiday spirit. This year in particular was really bad. So many aweful things happening in the world, so many aweful things happening ot family and friends (not need to go into details, but it's serisouly a new holiday record for hardship and tragedy for me and mine it seems). In my job, watching as the children I'm tasked with caring for regress behaviorally as they struggle with the strain and stress of the holidays and dealing with all the stuff they generally don't have...it eroded away at my joy. It eroded away at my faith in th ebasic goodness of humanity.
Not to get too religious or spiritual onuy'all...but in my faith we are taught to "see that of God in everyone." I was saddened as i was strugglign to do that. Quite frankly, I wanted the holidays ot be over so I could get back to what passes for "normal" around here.
Last night,m as my wife and I were finishing up the last bit of "Santa" wrappign and the stuffing of stockings as our kids slept we were talkign about this and grieving a little bit the loss of Holiday spirit. it was at that point I got yet another fabulous holiday gift. My oldest son hands me soemthing he found downstairs nest tot he plat of santa cookies.
It was a bag with two stuffed animals and a note from my daughter ot Santa.
"Dear Santa,
Please give these dolls to someone who needs thems, wants them or could use them more than me. These are good dolls and someone really desrves them. Love Rhiannon"
My daughter took two of her favorite stuffed cats and without any word ot us, without any prompting from us...arranged for Santa to give them to someone who needed tham more than her. I was struck speechless. My daughter gets it. And here I was wallowing in self-pity instead of focusing on what was really important....especially when times are tough.
Thank Rhiannon for restoring my faith and holiday spirit this Christmas. You'r a VERY special littel girl.
Peace,
Erik
Not to get too religious or spiritual onuy'all...but in my faith we are taught to "see that of God in everyone." I was saddened as i was strugglign to do that. Quite frankly, I wanted the holidays ot be over so I could get back to what passes for "normal" around here.
Last night,m as my wife and I were finishing up the last bit of "Santa" wrappign and the stuffing of stockings as our kids slept we were talkign about this and grieving a little bit the loss of Holiday spirit. it was at that point I got yet another fabulous holiday gift. My oldest son hands me soemthing he found downstairs nest tot he plat of santa cookies.
It was a bag with two stuffed animals and a note from my daughter ot Santa.
"Dear Santa,
Please give these dolls to someone who needs thems, wants them or could use them more than me. These are good dolls and someone really desrves them. Love Rhiannon"
My daughter took two of her favorite stuffed cats and without any word ot us, without any prompting from us...arranged for Santa to give them to someone who needed tham more than her. I was struck speechless. My daughter gets it. And here I was wallowing in self-pity instead of focusing on what was really important....especially when times are tough.
Thank Rhiannon for restoring my faith and holiday spirit this Christmas. You'r a VERY special littel girl.
Peace,
Erik
. You are blessed.
