Just One Wish

Vacations.

Reading a good book.

My house filled with family, friends, good food, and lots of laughter.

Snowy days when I’m “forced” to stay in and watch Netlix.

Traveling and meeting new people while learning about different cultures, customs, and food.

Really good pizza.

The way my grandson refers to me as his “real” grandma.

Will Downing (nothing else needs to be said here).

These are just a few things that make me happy. I think a lot about being happy. Why? Because there is so much sadness, anger, hatred, and foolishness in the world. I’m not oblivious to it, I just refuse to allow that type of darkness to consume me.

Please understand, I’m not a glass half full kind of person. And I certainly don’t skip through life wearing rose colored glasses and humming folk tunes. I get sad. I get angry. And at times I certainly get discouraged. But I refuse to hand a win to the folks who cause this misery. You know who they are. Those who are bigoted, small-minded, covetous, selfish, scared of anyone who doesn’t look like them and who are just plain ignorant. I will not allow them to win.

So you don’t look like me. Okay. Your hair isn’t kinky or the same sexy shade of gray as mine. Fine. We don’t worship the same? That’s completely okay. We eat different foods. Cool. You’re proud of the country, language, and customs of your forefathers and mothers? Good for you. Maybe we dress differently. More power to you!

There is so much beauty and light in this world. Don’t allow the darkness of hatred and anger to distinguish any of it. If I had just one wish this holiday season it would be that we look beyond each other’s outer covering and for once, explore deep enough to see what’s in each other’s heart.

Happy holidays.