Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

It is another interesting and challenging Christmas this year.  We are socially distancing, wearing masks and avoiding family that we would choose to be with.  Seems like nothing has changed and we are all loosing ground, but that isn't so.  We have 3 vaccines, 2 hopeful pills and the possibility of super immunity on the horizon.  We haven't found our way completely through yet, but we are gaining ground.  Like the song says, "If you're going through hell, keep on going."  It is really hard to see where you are in the swamp but you might be closer to dry land than you realize.

Socially we are all trying to find our way through seasonal greetings so that we spread cheer and not build ire but the underlying message is still the same.  We are all in this together and we do not walk this world alone.  We should consider each other, even strangers; this and the rest of the year.  We should be reaching out to each other and making sure that we know that we are not as isolated as it seems.

We have so many ways to connect now; skype, zoom, phone, text, snail mail, facebook, messenger, email,...... our communication avenues are endless it seems.  How difficult is it to take a moment to reach out and let someone know you think of them?  Tell your siblings, cousins, relatives, friends and co-workers that you think of them.  I will say it again, give them the investment of your time.  It is such a small but meaningful thing, especially at this time of the year.  I was in a grocery store and a small child asked a question so I answered her, her mother barely looked at me and I wondered what it would have cost her to say something to me.  I tried to talk to her but she just ignored me, I still don't know why.  It struck me, I talk to strangers and most of the time; they like it.

It is a small town, maybe she was visiting from a big city.  We talk to each other here, she will either get used to it or not stick around.  Her daughter smiled at me, daddy might be from here.

Enjoy the investment from family and strangers, relatives and friends and make sure it is well spent.  Merry Christmas, know that I offer this as a wish for peace for each of you.