Hey everybody!  This is a picture of Whoville.  You know…where the love and magic of Christmas still abounds, even after the Grinch steals all the fiod, gifts and toys.  There’s something so whimsical and innocent about this picture.  It makes me feel five years old and excited about Christmas!
I don’t know how you feel, but me and most of my friends are fighting sinus infections, and feeling the strain of normal life/work obligations, and trying to make Christmas special for everyone…which is a labor intensive feat.  Many of us have also lost an unusual amount of loved ones and fur babies this year.  That adds a grief component on top of everything else.  Seems like most folks I know we’re doing fine until about middle of last week.  Maybe the sinus infections are unavoidable between the bad weather and the Christmas school plays and office parties.  Perhaps the stress of trying to be Wonder Woman or Santa Claus is too much.  Every year I ponder these same ideas, with no real solution. 
So, what do I know?  Ok, here’s what I know:
For one, I’m alive.  Two, I’m still employed.  Three, I’m grateful for the loved ones that are still here this Christmas.  Four, I am grateful for all the new friendships this year and for further closeness with the ones I already had.  Five, I still love to stand up through a moon roof or hang out of a car window to look at Christmas lights.  Six, it breaks my heart to see families going through heartache, and I can’t do anything about it.  Seven, online ordering has definitely made shopping a lot easier.  Eight, we can make Christmas memorable in a good way or a bad way.  The choice is up to us. 

I do not care if I buy a gift for someone, whether or not I get one.  I chose to give them a present.  I chose what to spend on it, and it is not a contest!!!!  I only care about making them smile.  We should do the important things to make Christmas be about LOVE!!!!!!!!!  Hug necks like you may never see them again. 
You may be right.

  Give them a gift that doesn’t look like you raced down a Walmart aisle and picked up a stocking stuffer out of the closest bargain bin, within arms length of the checkout counter!!!!  Give them a Christmas card where you underline the important parts, and write a handwritten note about how much they mean to you.  Cook dinner for your family and friends.  Wash the dishes for them if you didn’t have to cook.  Play on the floor with your kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews.  They won’t remember what you gave them.  They will remember if you spent time with them.
  Love is the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season.  Let’s quit arguing over what to call it, whether it needs a tree or a fat guy in a red suit.  Just let me enjoy the nativity scenes AND the trees AND the lights AND the food AND the Christmas cartoons AND all the hugs I can get…all while I still debate what to take to fight this cold.  Make the most of what you have now. 
Kaaaay?  Okay!! 

I’m gonna spend some time with my hubby and nurse this cold, while watching Christmas movies!  I am so glad for each one of you, that take the time to read and support The Unheard Bird.   And thank you for the love and friendship you share with me throughout the year.  I love you all. 
Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!!!!!