Some thoughts as we enter the holiday season. ... it is important to remember that not everyone is surrounded by large wonderful families. Some have problems during the holidays and some are overcome with great sadness when remembering the loved ones who are no longer with us. Many people have no one to spend these times with and are besieged with loneliness. We all need caring, loving thoughts right now. Giving support for all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know someone cares. Do it for all of us, for none of us is immune.
I'll never forget the day our youngest sat next to me on the couch watching television. While what we were watching was relatively kid-friendly, I failed to remember there was a reference to Santa being the parents.
I sat still wondering if my son had noticed the conversation. All of the sudden, he pipes up with, "Wait. You're Santa? Santa's not real?"
My husband and older son sat silent, and I chimed in immediately, "Oh my goodness!" With excitement in my voice, I looked at my husband and said, "Do you think he's ready?"
My youngest asked quickly as he straightened himself up, "Ready for what? I'm ready!"
"I think he's ready. " my husband said with a smile.
"Ready for what?! What is happening?!"
"To become a Santa with us, buddy."
"I could be a Santa?!"
"That's who Santa really is, sweetheart. When you are old enough, you learn that giving is better than receiving. You learn to give without asking for anything in return. You become a Santa."
"Oh my gosh! So I'm a Santa now?!"
"You are, my love. Congratulations on being a big kid."
"Who do I give to then?! I'm ready!"
And the conversation continued. And there was no sadness...only excitement. And he purchased items for others with mommy in order to surprise them and see the joy in their eyes.
When our kids grew old enough, they didn't learn Santa wasn't real; they learned Santa is in all of us. And they proudly accepted the new role of being givers.
Credit: Anchoring Hope for Mental Health: Jeremy & Bailey Koch
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1st Corinthians 13:13
"My barbershop is located in an old mining town called Rouyn-Noranda in northern Canada. I opened here because there were no other barbershops, only hair salons, which is something completely different. Wyatt showed up with his mother during the first week I was open. He was my first child who had special needs. I figured out how to work with him by getting down to his level. These moments are very special for me. I'm taking great pride barbering here and my community is amazingly supportive towards my shop. People drive up to 4 hours to get a haircut. We usually start by having a candy together and we walk around the shop looking at everything on the walls. The shop is packed with gifts from clients. We can also put some music on vinyl during the haircut. I'm never typically driving the haircut, I simply follow the lead of the child. It takes me more than an hour to finish with a special needs child. It is worth every minute."
After 4 days with NO sunshine and over 3-1/2" of rain, we are smiling and soaking up the rays this morning. It has been a dreary and soggy time over Texas but we always welcome the rain. It makes us appreciate the Sun more too. Thankful for everything God provides!
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