This Christmas, Shower The People

by Kevin Burton

   Ah the sounds of Christmas!

   It’s Christmas Eve and workers are pounding into place the new siding we hope will last as long as we live in this house.  Jeannette is vacuuming. My Christmas carols, Andy Williams, Point of Grace, don’t stand a chance. 

   But I feel like if I didn’t play them, the rocks would cry out, “it’s Christmas!”

      I’ve had a few Christmases by now.  I still hear those sounds. The Christmas lights are blinking and so am I, through tears of joy and remembrance.

   I can’t help but wonder how many more Christmases we will have with the present “lineup.”  The virus hit our family this year, though not claiming any lives.  There are no guarantees with that, vaccines notwithstanding, or with just life as we knew it before. It doesn’t last forever.

    So what I’m saying is, those you have near you, hug ‘em tight.  Those near to heart but socially distanced, let them know how much you love them. 

   There’s a James Taylor song not associated with Christmas that says “shower the people you love with love.” Do it while you can. Do it.

   Do it now in fact.  I’m out of words for the moment.  Merry Christmas!