The "C" Word Season

What!?!? Christmas? Who wants to think about that now?!!?!?

At this time of year, many of us don't even want to think about that "C" word. As a mom, and especially with all the COVID-19 limits on home-made and limited summer activities and trying to be what everyone else wants and do what I think everyone else wants. And now getting ready for COVID and SCHOOL? Are you already too exhausted to face it?

So COVID is the new "C" word, not Christmas.

The "C" word is now

Chaotic: Stores shopping with kids in masks and limited access

Calamity: no batteries, broken parts on toys and no libraries

Calendar: Empty nights and wondering what's next.

Congested: Heads, thoughts, fears

Constant: Anxiety

I don't know how I got caught up in this new "C" word stuff, but I'm calling COVID, the last three months of weird living, a season, like winter spring summer, fall. I'm adding in winter COVID Spring COVID summer COVID fall COVID, because it seems like i have to prepare for it just like I prepare for changing out clothes, getting kids ready for school, weddings and holidays too. It seems to be getting bigger and bigger. And I started asking myself:

How can I show my gratitude for all I have received in this life? How can I let go of so many new "seasons" What do I really need? What are my unique gifts I can I give?

Who needs what I can give? What is the purpose in all my giving and receiving?

This year, we moved to a new to us home. And just after that, the COVID season started into full bloom. We saw smiles on familiar faces and lingering in family ZOOM calls. We saw how people reached out to relieve both their and our own burdens. We've made friends in the giving and the receiving. We've shared stories and laughter in parks and over campfires. I have shared and listened to concerns, caring, music, and sacred thoughts. Gratitude has became a gracious gift. Life has become more precious.

My dad used to tell me a story of his childhood. It was focused on the wonder and JOY, not scarcity on his Christmas mornings, when the white kitchen tablecloth was removed to reveal---a single orange for each of the 11 family members! The depression hit his Los Angeles family hard. So He every Christmas he told us that story. And there was always the BIGGEST orange I'd ever seen in my stocking. His gratitude made it possible for me to love the small gifts.

Maybe COVID and Christmas don't seem like they belong together, but I believe gratitude is the answer. What we can give, no matter the changes to the seasons we live can be the real reason.

This season, whatever one you are living in, can be filled with other less stressful words as we recall a small country, in a small village, and a small stable, a small child was born who gave the greatest gift. So that the blind shall see, the deaf hear and like us, celebrate Him now, more than ever.

May there be some JOY in your "C"s this season. Here are just a few of the "C"s, Gifts He left for each of us.

"C"alm: Peace on Earth

"C"lear: Vision and Inspiration

"C"herish: Friendship, Family and Children

"C"omfort: Goodwill. For all downtrodden

"C"ollect: Gratitude. We are the sparrows whom He knows.