James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
This past weekend I started writing notes inside the Christmas cards that I?ll be sending out this year. Being the word nerd that I am it?s a pretty time consuming task. I suppose I should simply sign my, and Jerry?s name and add a couple of words of love, but no, I have to write what?s in my heart and on my mind. It does take a lot of time, but sending cards is something I really enjoy doing.
As I glanced through my Christmas card list from last year I realized there have been some highs and unfortunately some really deep lows in 2013. Six people from my list have passed away this year. Several friends from my list have been battling cancer and a couple have just found out they have the dreaded disease. My nephew?s young wife is facing a lifetime of heart problems, another friends husband was almost killed when he touched some live electrical wires. One neighbor on my list had to be put in a nursing home because of dementia, while another is battling the disease at home under the watchful eyes of family. There has been divorce, jobs lost, family feuds, heartbreaks and disappointments of all kinds.
We can dwell on the negatives of the past year or we can look at that Christmas list again and find the good. An upcoming marriage, a new baby, a healed relationship, a niece graduating from nursing school after many hours, months and years of hard work, a dear friend celebrating his 98th birthday.
Yes, we can get bogged down with life, it?s worries and stresses, but when the days are cloudy and the nights are long, I choose to look for the good in all things. I choose to cherish each moment with family and loved ones. Who knows which name will be crossed off next years Christmas card list. Live, love and laugh? Cherish each moment, and the people who make up those moments.
Now, back to that Christmas card list.
(Don?t forget if you?re in Boone, NC this Friday, December 6th or Hendersonville, NC Saturday, December 7th stop by Mast General Store from 1 until 5. Debbie Wall the illustrator of The Manger Mouse and I will be on site signing copies.)
