Hearts are light and full of good cheer again

Outside the mega supermarket last night, bell ringers rang; school children sang.

Hurried shoppers hopscotched the parking lot, dodging traffic as they made a quick stop on the way home from work. On the way into the store, they paused a moment to savor the cheerful sounds of bell and song. Some dug through their wallets and change purses to find bill and coin to drop in the red kettle.

Laughter and good cheer filled the air.

Down the street, at the package shipping store, patrons were coming and going. It’s time to drop off parcels - trying to beat the mid-month deadline for shipping to far-off destinations.

A man exiting the store paused to hold the door for a lady struggling to make her way into the shoppe. She thanked him for his courteous gesture.

In a restaurant a few streets over, a similar exchange occurred as folks entered and exited the store. A father used the teachable moment to explain to his well-mannered boys that they should let folks exit the building before entering. All involved exchanged greetings as they traded places.

Hearts are light and full of good cheer again. It’s that time of year.

People seem to make an extra effort this time of year. Maybe it’s just something etched into our DNA. Or perhaps the cascade of memories that return each December reminds us that this month, above all others, is just a little special.

You can’t help but wonder why we can’t find a way to bottle all of the warmth and keep it for times when we are worn down by meetings, bills to pay and sad news coming from the evening television broadcast. For some, that may simply be too much to ask.

But the dark times shouldn’t keep us from enjoying the light. And this time of year is full of shine – on packages and bows, in windows, on on evergreens and front lawns, in the town square or public park.

Most notably, the light is found within our hearts.

We look forward to spending time with cherished loved ones at holiday parties or Christmas gatherings. We rejoice at hearing, via email or card, from friends of by-gone eras, former neighbors or co-workers, distant relatives or someone surprising who pops up to remind you of some special time from yesteryear.

It is, after all, the most wonderful time of the year.

I hope your December is going as well as mine is and I hope you have the opportunity to stop and soak up some of this good cheer. Savor the moment; revel in the goodness.

And maybe, just maybe, the special feelings you are able to feel right now might help you get through any tough times you encounter somewhere down the road. 

JG

Originally posted 12/11/2013