#59...

Christmas #59 is in the books.  

Some random thoughts...

• Had a great celebration...but with some missing parts; family in CA, NJ, NC, CO...wish we could all be together.
• Erin hosted again on XmsEve...Laura on XmsDay. (I am keeping Christ in Christmas..."X" is the ancient symbol for Christ. Greek letter Chi "X" is the first letter of Greek "Xristos" or Christ...nuf' said.) They did such a wonderful job making us all feel at home and feeding us very well.
• One member of the family was just recovering from the flu, so glad she felt just well enough to join us...so much appreciate the effort it took.
• Grand sons are growing up too fast.
• Movie selection this year "Trouble with a Curve Ball."

But this year there was an undercurrent of sadness and concern; it was buried inside us, but it was there.  Why wouldn't it be?  Grief over the senseless murders of people in Oregon and Connecticut, an ambush/murder of two first responders in New York state, bitter division that still plagues our government, a population unwilling to celebrate our diversity and unable settle on what constitutes our "core values," uncertainty about the economy and a health-care system, a school system sabotaged by politicians which is exhausting the people charged with the task of education (4 in my family), 10+ years of war, a future for our children, grandchildren...our Nation.

These are disquieting times.  The conclusion to President Abraham Lincoln's 2nd inagural address seems so appropriate to these days we're living in...

"...With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

Lincoln saved the Nation once.  Perhaps his wisdom might point the way again.