Today is Wednesday. I was supposed to have a treatment yesterday after a week off, but due to computer malfunctioning, I elected to go in this morning. While I was waiting to get in, one of my oncology nurses, Amy, noticed I was being a bit of a pickle puss, and wanted to know what was going on. I said, “nothing really, just don’t look forward to this infusion. It’s harder on me than the first round was.” Of course she was sympathetic, but encouraged me to  keep my eye on the prize and to stay as open and positive as I can. She’s right of course.
So I’m sitting there pondering what she said. I started thinking about the last week and the marvelous things I’ve seen, and wondering how I can bring any practicality to these experiences. Then it hit me. The commercialistic (made that up) world is already celebrating Christmas with sales, sales, and guess what, more sales. Those of us who see within the season  a bit more,(and still call it Christmas) are always irritated by this, because we believe the season is about love, love, and more love. And these two never seem to meet. What if this year, we started loving a little earlier? I started thinking about that and the question arose in my mind, how? Then I started thinking about The Lord’s Prayer. Specifically, this line: ” … and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us … ” How many trespasses are built up in our mental catalogues that have never been forgiven. Odds are, if you have any, it’s going to be against a family member. After all, someone we trust and let inside our inner defenses has the greatest ability to hurt our feelings. How many trespasses are built up from brothers, sisters, moms, dads, aunts, cousins, etc. Some have been around so long we’ve forgotten about them.
I say, this year, we start Christmas today. We start it by taking a couple of minutes to examine our hearts and let those old wounds show themselves. When they do, what would happen if we made an attempt to reach out and make it right? Some good things may just manifest. Of course, we all have those relatives, or friends who aren’t going to make up. They’re still plenty hurt and they aren’t going to let go of that bone. But forgiveness, like generosity, isn’t about the other person. It’s about the condition of our heart. Are we willing to let go and forgive those who have trespassed against us? I would suggest that if we can, we may have the best Christmas ever.

UPDATE:  In the Northern Kentucky area, the Society of St. Vincent De Paul has a coat distribution program. If you have a coat(s) to donate, they can be donated at:

St Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores in: Erlanger, Newport, Dayton and Falmouth.

Gold Star Chili Stores accept coats in: Alexandria, Bellevue, Burlington, Covington, Crescent Springs, Wilder, Hebron, Newport, Independence, Latonia, Mt. Zion, and Florence – Mall Road.

These Area Fire Departments also accept coats: Alexandria, Covington, Florence, Ft. Mitchell, Ft. Thomas, Hebron, Newport.

If you would like to help with the coat distribution, please join us on November 23rd 9:00 – noon at the following sites:  John G. Carlisle School, and Covington Latin School.  And again on December 7th 9:00 – noon at Blessed Sacrament Church and the Newport Primary School.

If you can volunteer please sign up by calling Carolyn Ashcraft at 859-341-3212 Ext. 2

Perhaps we can help a few more angels keep their wings warm.

Thanks for listening