A last post before 2015 rings in. Christmas is such a busy time of year for most of us, but I wanted to reflect with you on my Christmas experience this year. Many things did not go as planned and than can be a huge stressor for me. I was given a Christmas Tree that looked like it came out of a Charlie Brown comic strip (After I cried myself to sleep , I must confess), I made the decision to call it my “gratitude tree” and to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas instead of an ugly tree and burned pies.
Christmas movies are a big thing for me during the season. I love watching them because they usually involve some miracle or awesome thing that happens that’s against all odds. Like, what are the odds, that at the very last moment, a man dressed in a Santa Suit delivers a heart to a young boy who is dying to save his life, not to mention that he lands the plane on a city street lit by luminaries. I think that’s why I love them so much because they give me hope and help me re-focus on what is really important - which is the peace, love and & joy we have in the fellowship with our family, friends and fellow Granger's.
I also saw a grange in a bedroom community in our county that was destined to close, come alive with 10 new members and enthusiasm that superseded my own. I was told by many there was probably little chance to resurrect this grange. I believed it could happen and like the little girl in Miracle on 34th St., I just kept saying I believe, I believe and I hoped that my faith and belief in the value of the grange would spark an ember of hope and enthusiasm in the 3 remaining members. Of course a lot of hard work and hours went into to it as well. I believe in faith, but I also believe in hard work, hope and perseverance.
