Silent Night

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized the grown-up truth that Christmas is not the magic, happy time for everyone that it is for me.

Maybe your religion celebrates something other than Christmas (or doesn’t celebrate anything at all). Maybe you feel lost in a sea of red and green. Maybe you are sick of people incredulously stating “you don’t celebrate Christmas?” like you just grew two heads.

Maybe you are having Christmas without your family. Maybe this is your ex-spouse’s year with the kids. Maybe your spouse is overseas taking care of family. Maybe you had to move away from your family for school or work.

Maybe you’ve lost someone. Maybe Christmas is hard because you no longer get to call your mom or your sibling. Maybe you lost the love of your life. Maybe you have gone through the unimaginable, and have lost a child.

Maybe the thought of spending Christmas with your family gives you anxiety. Maybe you’d rather put screw drivers in your ears than listen to your family talk politics, religion, or why you can’t be more like your brother.

If this sounds like you, whatever the reason, please know that you are not alone. This time of year, is hard for a lot of people.

 For the rest of us, let’s look for those that seem a bit quieter and a bit lonelier and offer a smile, hug, or whatever is appropriate for the relationship. Let’s try to make Peace on Earth more than song lyrics or a season slogan. Let’s make it a personal mission to add peace to the lives of those around us.