As one year fades into the next, I sit here enjoying a rare quiet moment, and If (a big if for some of us) we can steal a moment away from the madness, I think the holidays urge most of us to reflect a bit more than we normally would throughout the year. And I feel a mix of emotions come over me. My daughter sleeps in the room with me and I feel like I have witnessed life's biggest miracle this year bringing a baby into this world. I am overwhelmed by our blessings as we are overflowing (over our belts that is) from all of the holiday treats we have indulged in. And busied like 5 year olds with all of our new gadgets given so generously to us by the ones we love. But I also feel this grieving in my heart for people that are less fortunate than I. Less fortunate takes on a whole new meaning after scanning the news and seeing horrific images come to the screen of the bombings happening in the Gaza strip. Do we hear this stuff so often that we numb ourselves to its sound? I question if I did enough for those whose biggest Christmas present would be a good supper and a warm bath? Never mind the mounds of wrapping paper that surrounded my feet by mid Christmas morn. Am I getting too melancholy for anyone yet? As my blog has turned into open journalism I challenge my family and friends to search for the grieving part in their hearts. Because I am concerned we have turned this quiet voice of the needs of others far too low for us to hear... I believe there is a problem. Are we in our silence becoming like Marie Antoinette telling them to eat cake? It's hard when we are hit from all four sides with one charity to the next needing, needing, needing. Is there an off switch we have hit to protect ourselves from the true suffering out there? I think I have to plead guilty of doing just that, as now I find myself hit with this reality far harder than I would care for. What is the answer? Why is it easy for me to spoil my husband, and myself with far more money spent on presents than I would care to admit- but I don't think I slipped more than a twenty into the posts of Salvation army scattered around the malls.
I think I was just encouraged to end this blog with a sliver of hope. And its good to know that there is hope.... maybe it was the lack of hope that started this problem in the first place. Maybe we took a glance at the suffering and it was all too much and that is what made us turn the volume down. We are needed. Not just at Christmas but every day. I find myself stopping mid thought when I pledge to give more next season. What about now? I know I will never cure world hunger. Nor will I provide clean drinking water for all the countries without. But I think I can provide a plate and a glass. Although there is more than anyone can take on alone, maybe if we each tune our ear to one thing we can make a difference. There is a great website out there called
Advent conspiracy, that could offer some inspiration. Or take a cause close to your heart and run with it. By just encouraging others to help, I feel like I am potentially soliciting. And maybe I am, and maybe for a second we should stop being so sensitive and annoyed by all of it and listen up!
At least don't be annoyed by me
Well, I have gotten it off my chest. I don't know yet what I am going to do about all of my hot air... but I will let you know when I know. And there will for surely be a follow-up blog about how wonderful our first christmas as a family really was!
I hope everyone has great New Years plans. Stay safe and have fun.
With love from the 3 of us,
Kayt
