Prairie Point, Christmas 2016

Sunset, New Year's Eve, 2016

Our new retirement cottage in the Ozark Mountains

What if it’s true?

What if God is Love, and so awesome and unfathomable that, despite all our sins and shortcomings, He’s able to love each and every one of us, like we’re the only one?  Wouldn’t that be cool!

So that I repented, counted my blessings, and backed away from the edge

This time of year, I’m almost always struck by the parallels between my life and that of Jimmy Stewart in his role in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I’ve had much the same triumph, much the same joy, and much the same failure and debilitating despair. Probably most noteworthy are the many occasions when my Heavenly Father, in some form not unlike Clarence, has interceded on my behalf, so that I repented, counted my blessings, and backed away from the edge.  SC   

Warmth and resilience invariably follow winter.

There are those among us who care deeply about God’s Creation and all its creatures great and small. These people rejoice when mankind exercises responsible stewardship, and they’re inclined to succumb to discouragement when it does not. During prolonged seasons of despair and disappointment, it’s helpful to remember that, surely as darkness must invariably give way to light, and winter inevitably, to spring; goodness, justice, and enlightenment will inexorably prevail over greed, apathy and ignorance. Ice will thaw; snow will melt, and spring will once more triumph, with the warmth and resilience that invariably follow winter. SC

Christmas is a feeling in our chest.

Christmas is a feeling in our chest,

A sense of being sheltered and caressed,

A memory that makes our spirit soar,

An ache that leaves us somehow wanting more;

Bitter sweet recollections of a day,

Of innocence and faith and youthful play;

Scenes of family outings in the snow, 

Cherished mornings ‘round a Christmas tree aglow,

Priceless memories of innocence we’ve known,

Before we ventured out in life alone;

When each day found us carefree, safe and glad,

And evening found us home with home with Mom and Dad.

We strive today to recreate a time,

When hope was strong and zest for life sublime,

When childlike faith assured tomorrows joys,

And needs were met with simple gifts and toys.

Perhaps tomorrow’s hopes can best be met,

By casting off our feelings of regret,

And reaching out to others who still care,

And comprehend the passion that we share;

Those who recognize that we’ve been blessed,

And embrace that hopeful longing in our chest.  SC

Placerville, Ca aka old Hangtown, at The Round Tent Store 1912

This photo was almost certainly taken from the balcony of the Carey House Hotel.

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the present, and the Future.  The spirits of all three will strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach me. 

“A Christmas Carol” Charles Dickens