Christmas Wishes - By Janie DeVos

                                                 

Dear friends, 

     It goes without saying that this is one year most of us want to see come to an end.  It’s been a year of sadness and frustration, to say the least, but just as all good things come to an end, so do the bad things, too.  I don’t think there’s a soul among us who isn’t looking toward the future with renewed hope that the coming year may be a far different one than the one we’re leaving behind, and, personally speaking, I feel a little bit like the kid who waits with great anticipation for Christmas to arrive, hoping that the things most hoped for are, indeed, tucked away beneath the lowest boughs of the tree.  Just as all children do, I’m going over that list of what I hope I’ll get—actually, what we’ll all get—and here are a few of them: 

-         Hugging people again

-         Having large gatherings with family and friends

-         Going to church, (especially on Christmas Eve and sunrise service)

-         No more test swabs up my nose

-         Traveling — by all forms of transportation

-         Going shopping to the brick and mortar stores

-         Seeing people’s mouths when they smile

-         Not being excited over finding TP or hand sanitizer

-         No more designated social distancing spaces in public places

-         No more luke warm take-out food

-         Far less cooking

-         No more “Going Out of Business” signs

-         No more talking to elderly loved ones through windows

-         Peaceful resolutions in overcoming our differences

-         No more Zoom meetings (unless by choice)

-         Five day school weeks

-         Packed sports arenas

-    And, high up on that list, renewed inspiration for all things creative

So, those are some of the things I hope for all of us in the coming year, but I know that doesn’t begin to cover it, so let me hear what some of your wishes are!      

Finally, I want to thank you for staying in touch with me and supporting my work again this year.  In a world where I often felt so out-of-touch (both literally and figuratively), your kind words helped me to muddle through, especially on those days that were the most difficult.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

May God bless each of you, and all of your loved ones, this holiday season, keeping you safe and healthy, and may the coming year be filled with lots of wonderful times spent together, and a few fabulous, unexpected surprises, thrown in for good measure, too. 

Much love, 

Janie