Remember, this isn’t the first Christmas that is hard.

My father sent this Christmas card to my mother in 1945.

The good news was that he was on his way back home in one piece after being stationed in an American WWII general hospital unit in the India/Burma/Nepal region. 

The bad news…well, the photo says it all. War leaves lasting scars on all involved.

On the back, he apologized for the card. He said it was the only one available. His twenty-one year old self wanted to send her something, to his new bride. I’m sure they both hoped he’d have made it back in time to celebrate Christmas together, but they had to spend another Christmas apart. It took many more weeks before they were reunited. They then had the blessing of fifty-three more Christmases together.

So many of us this year aren’t seeing the family and friends we normally do. In fact, last Christmas may have been the last time we saw someone. If we do see someone this Christmas, it may be through a window wave or a socially distant, semi outdoor gathering, and we aren’t hugging or touching. It all feels foreign. It’s not what we want.

We can feel sorry for ourselves, or we can remember that every year, not just in a pandemic, epic year, others are missing those they love due to a move, a military service, a death, an estrangement, a work commitment, or something else that keeps them apart.

Instead of looking at what is missing, let’s embrace what we have. The love is still there. We can see it and hear it. Let us be especially grateful for today’s technology that connects us with each other in an instant and often for free.

My mother said there were months during WWII when she didn’t know where my father was, if he was even alive. She obviously cherished this card of a burned out church since I found it among her belongings that she kept closest to her.

Let’s use it as a reminder that we will come out for the better at the end of this. Changed, of course, and strengthened.

And that Christmas, and all of its magical moments, comes, whether we see each other, and whether we feel like it’s Christmas or not. 

I’m grateful for that, and for you.

Happy Christmas. Blessed, Healthy New Year. A joyous celebration to you however you celebrate or worship.

#christmas #christmas2020 #christmas1945 #gratitude #WWII