The Peak of Inspiration

It seems fitting to me that the exercise of writing a Christmas letter comes just a few weeks before the opportunity to make New Year’s resolutions arrives.  I believe it benefits us to think about the path behind us.  Remember how our needs have been supplied and our blessings multiplied.  Quite likely writing this does me more good than reading it does you. 

 That being said, I think there is value, a lot perhaps, in the sharing and discovery that our feelings, struggles, fears, wins and losses are not ours alone.  I think there is a deep desire in the middle of each of us that longs to understand and be understood.  To know that we are not alone on our journey.  Perhaps we, as a human race, need to practice the art of connection.  We communicate just fine.  But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re connected.  Maybe there is a difference.  Communication sees and talks about the waves.  Connection steps in and feels the current together.

So here is a feeble effort to make that connection with you.  And, as always, it feels a little lopsided.  It doesn’t seem fair to me that you know more about me than I do about you.  I’m not suggesting you need to write back, but I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t. 

I have no way of knowing who will read this.  That seems unfair too.  If you can put a face to the person typing this, then you already have a good idea of our setting.  Whoever you are, you should know this.  We are a very ordinary family.  We live a comfortable life in an average rural setting.  We enjoy average health.  We have average paying jobs.  Except for my wife, we are all average looking. 

Life has been true to form for us.  It hasn’t made a lot of exceptions.  Time has demanded a toll which we have had no choice but to pay.  I had opportunity this last year to meet up with some old friends that I had not seen for a very long time.  I noticed that it took a few extra seconds as they searched their memories for somebody that might resemble the person in front of them.  That isn’t any fault of theirs. 

Death hasn’t left us alone either.  Last year at this time our dad enjoyed the holidays with us.  This year will be different.  I can’t say for sure how that will affect me, but I do find comfort in knowing that there are some of you that are facing similar circumstances.  Many of you know what it is like passing those annual milestones. 

This is probably as good a time as any to thank you for being there.  Thanks for the love.  Thanks for leaving your comfort zone to hold the light for us in the dark.  Maybe it didn’t feel like you were doing much, but I want you to know something.  That little light saved our lives.  It built a bridge over the gulf.  It stitched up the wound.  It fought the demons.  It made a difference.  And if you didn’t do it for us directly, but for another someone, thanks for that too.  You are the reason we survive. 

Sometimes we get what we deserve, most of the time we get things we don’t.  Good things.  Gifts.  I can tell you that we have received an abundance this last year.  More friends than we can count.  More opportunities to serve than we have energy for.  Customers in abundance and work to do every day.  Enough comfort for the grief.  More songs than we have time to sing.  A path over every mountain.  A billion stars in our sky.  Each one a signpost to lead us to The Source. 

And that is what I want for you, and all the ones you love, to find on the road ahead.  I wish for you a road lined with gifts.  Gifts to pick up and pass out.  I want you to find moments that will stay with you through the miles ahead.  Moments that mean something real.  Moments that make your heart smile.

And if you ever find yourself in the dark, and many miles from Bethlehem, look up.  Find the brightest star in the sky.   Walk towards it.  Follow where it takes you.  Wherever you come from and however far you need to travel, follow it all the way.  We will do the same.  And if we don’t meet anywhere else, we can meet each other there.  Because that star will lead us all to the same place.  The place where Life begins. 

See you there….

David, Jana, Jared, Patrick, Natalie, and Anderson