Looking for a warm Christmas message? Then don't read this

It's Christmas eve and I'm exhausted.

I have decorated inside and out. 

I have shopped and shopped and then wondered if I forgot anyone. 

I have spent too much money. I have shrugged when my husband said it wasn't enough and then laughed when he blanched at the resulting register receipt. (What can I say, he's a generous guy :) 

I have wrapped and wrapped. And wrapped some more. 

I have vacuumed needles. I have hosted dinner. I have washed dishes.  

I have arranged sitters for the dogs and had them groomed (the dogs, not the sitters) so they won't stink up my in-law's house. 

I have negotiated schedules and commiserated with others who also have too many places to be in too little time. 

And I still feel like I haven't done enough.

The Fight for a Wonder-full Life

Today is Friday. It's Advent, the time leading up to Christmas. A time of waiting. Anticipation.

This is a lovely time of year. Carols. Christmas lights. Parties. Gifts. Food. Time with friends and family. Timeless movies like It's a Wonderful Life.

The "most wonderful time of the year," right?

Christmas can be a wonderful time of joy, of giving and receiving good things. But, sometimes, it is not so wonderful. Sometimes, it is a time of sadness, of loss.