Today we are on the day shift.

The sisters took the night shift.

It doesn’t matter that it’s the Monday before Christmas.

It doesn’t matter that there are gifts to be bought, wrapped and stashed in my closet because little boys have no sense of surprise.

It doesn’t matter that there are guests to come in 5 days.

Today we sit.

We sit in a dark, quiet room.

Listening for pockets of air to escape from a still body.

I watch the grown children of an older man come and go bidding good mornings and/or goodnight and I love you’s not knowing whether it will be the last time.

My Father in Law is 92 years old. His body is done. It has served him well but the time has come for him to leave the earthy shell and enter into eternity.

I watch him in his sleep as he reaches. What is he reaching for? Who is he talking to in his slumber?

Are his parent beckoning for him? Does he see his wife Shirley who left the earth over 25 years ago?

The holidays are hard for so many. Me included. My Dad, my favorite human left on December 30, 2017.

The holidays bring loneliness. They bring exclusion. They bring bitterness and hopefulness.

As I walk through the assisted living facility, I see people alone. I see them trapped in a body or a mind that no longer serves them.

All of this is sad and I don’t ask for pity. I ask that you look outside yourselves this week.

Remember the neighbor who lives alone.

Call your Mom, your Grandparents, the aunt or friend you haven’t heard from in a while.

Be extra kind and generous to the server at your favorite restaurant.

There are so many ways to “see” someone.

Hint: don’t park your big truck in front of parking spaces at the hotel. That’s would be a really kind and selfless thing to do

If you have a moment, would you pray for my family? It’s really going to be a hard week.

This is an older photo but it gives some faces that are really hurting.

I write as to not forget things that happen. All memories will not be fun and life giving. They will not make us laugh and sometimes be sad and heavy.

I’ve had a song stuck in my brain for a few weeks and I wondered until today why.

I no longer wonder.

No matter where you are on the week before Christmas, the song says “Christ was born for you. “

Here it is for you to listen to if you desire.

https://youtu.be/C-QHbpYjuIg

O come, all you unfaithful
Come, weak and unstable
Come, know you are not alone

O come, barren and waiting ones
Weary of praying, come
See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you

O come, bitter and broken
Come with fears unspoken
Come, taste of His perfect love

O come, guilty and hiding ones
There is no need to run
See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you

He’s the Lamb who was given
Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace
For those who believe
He’s the Lamb who was given
Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace
For those who believe

So come, though you have nothing
Come, He is the offering
Come, see what your God has done