A CHRISTMAS CAROL

A Christmas carol…a story about the past, present, and future of the true meaning of Christmas. This picture depicts just that. Past: The passing of loved ones of these friends making Christmas just not the same; Illness of a few of us with heart, cancer , serious infections, and long term Covid have made 2022 a year of uncertainty; changes in jobs; Present: Unexpected new relationships; heart bypass with good outcome, cancer in remission, positive outcome of surgery with the infection, and a trip of their dream to Ireland despite long term Covid, Future: No one knows the future, but to say, that these group of friends Kev and I have made have brought the past and present worth looking forward to the future. Why? Just like in the story of “ A Christmas Carol”, the scrooge realized that the heart of Christmas is about those we love and being grateful for them all. It’s about Jesus and his love for us that gives us a future of both hope and purpose. I see promise when I look at this snapshot, knowing that we will be there for each other, through the good times and the sad times, times of fear and joy, times of discouragement, and hope. May you reach out to those you love with the same Christmas spirit as scrooge but also see and care for those who don’t have a family or friends to bring them JOY and Jesus…the true heart of Christmas.