Night Train

The Spirit Of Christmas

In the spirit of this holiday season, I dedicate this column to all of those whose internal struggle persists to balance the notion of the Christmas spirit of giving with that of finding one-self in a sea of sadness. If this resonates for you then, I confess we are one in the same. However, today I write this knowing that and hoping that the spirit of thinking of others before yourself brings you some measure of peace and happiness as it has for me. My intention behind this is a blessing three-fold, for my children and I share the story below through my eyes to them and the creation of memories that will forever be etched in my mind and heart.

I thought long and hard about this column because it is personal, so personal that it has brought me back to a place where if only for a moment I wish that I had the inspiration through someone else’s words to know that I own the way I think and I can change the story of my reflection. My wish is that in writing this and by others reading it, there will be cause for pause and it might just change someone’s thinking to see the holiday as a blessing not a curse.

Every Christmas I fight this internal dichotomy whereby I am inclined to let myself dislike the season or be intentional to make the best of it. It’s easy to follow the Christ of Christmas when all goes well but when put-up against a wall the best of Christians will run making excuses. Truth is, I’m guilty as well. I too ran more often than I like to admit. That is, until all walls came crumbling down in 2017. I’ll spare you the details.