Issue 52.10
During the Christmas Season our hearts turn to the things that are most dear to us. We find joy as our loved ones gather near to celebrate this special time of the year. The Spirit of the Season fills the air as we find ourselves being more thoughtful, more courteous, more generous, and more loving. We reflect on the many ways our lives have been blessed and look to others with gratitude in our hearts for the day to day things that we have taken for granted.
One of my favorite movies to watch during this time of year is “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart. I am always inspired by the difference one person can make in the lives of so many. The character, George Bailey, however, did not recognize his influence, or the worth of his life until he was able to see what life would have been like for others had he not been born. I wonder if we take the time to consider just how much influence we really have. If goodness matters to us, are we modeling what it looks like to those around us? Do we take the time to open a door for someone, or let a car in front of us that has its signal light on, or simply look someone in the eye and thank them?
I want to take this time to thank all of you who work hard to keep our community a great place to live. It’s the little things that you do every day that make the biggest difference. So I ask of each one of us to look forward this next year with optimism and good will. To express a greeting of hello, to extend a hand of fellowship and good will. In short, it is the essence of the reason for the season. It was Christ himself who declared, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these…, ye have done it unto me.” Let us remember that it is each of us doing the little things each day that make this community what it is. Good will should be practiced at all times of the year. Let us all pause from the hustle and bustle long enough to extend our thanks and do something good for somebody else.
Again, my expression of thanks, as inadequate and impersonal as it may be, is one way I have found in giving back. Let us all pause and give a more personal thanks to all. Merry Christmas and thank you for all that you do. Here’s to a Happy, Optimistic New Year from Pine View Mortuary.