It’s that time of year again.  I have always loved Christmas.  I love the lights, the decorations, the overall feeling in the air.  I love to see the little kids in the stores, how their faces light up with delight when they see all of the pretty decorations, and all the great toys.  They get so excited, and are so cute to watch.   It’s not just about the presents, the decorations, the big dinners,  there is so much more to Christmas.  It is easy to get lost in our own little world of finding the right present, that we forget the real meaning.  I am not even talking about the religious aspect either.

Christmas is about spreading love and joy to each other.  It’s about giving of ourselves.  You don’t have to have a lot of money, some of the best presents don’t cost a thing.  Sometimes a smile or cheerful greeting is one of the nicest things that you can give.  Everyone deserves your love and kindness, not just the people of wealth, or those in your inner circle or of the same religion.  All People, men, women, children, young, old, rich, poor, white, black, even the purple people deserve love and kindness.  We all have hard ships and suffering that we face.  Each and every one of us has our own stories to tell.  They will be different but they will all be tales of suffering.

I have always taught my own children to be color blind.  I have taught them to respect other cultures and other beliefs. This morning when I walked them to the bus stop one of the kids friends came over to walk with them.  Her older sister kept telling her to walk with her, which I can understand.  When we got to the bus stop I heard her older sister tell her that they don’t play with white people.  It was really sad to hear.  It’s sad that people are still teaching their children how to hate different races, religions, and cultures.  It made me think though.  Each and every being on this earth deserves love, peace, and respect.  So from now on I have decided to make a point of being kind to everyone.  Not just the people whom I feel deserve it, but especially those who many would feel are undeserving of love.  Christmas is a great time to start this, but it doesn’t have to end when the holidays do.  I think this is something that we should all do year round.

Merry Christmas my Friends, may you all find peace and joy this holiday season.