Tiny Bubbles...

 

Hi!

For now, and for at least the next few months, as we wait for science to write the final act of this nightmare, we need to keep our bubbles small, better yet, tiny.

With this holiday season in full swing, it's tough. But, tiny bubbles can be fun too. 

Personally, we've been lucky enough to have our tiny bubble include the daughter that lives closest and her babies. Through this pandemic, a light has been shone on the little things, and we are doing everything we can to fully enjoy those little things.

Introducing our three youngest grandbabies to TWISTER was awesome. Reading their letters to Santa is awesome. Baking the treats that will put smiles on their faces, and the faces of a few others I hold closest to my heart is awesome. Watching predictably predictable, sappy Christmas movies with them is awesome. 

Instead of holiday office parties, family get-togethers, and other things that offer charcuterie boards and potent, plentiful cocktails, instead of making appearances at things for which we put on bras and pants to attend, we will... well, go pretty much nowhere. 

Instead, we will have to hunker down, use tech to see each other, do driveway greetings, keep in touch with those who matter most, spread virtual cheer, 

Look on the bright side.... right, 2020. Sorry, forgot where I was there for a second. 

For those who have been working from home for months, juggling zoom calls, homeschooling, and trying to keep the image of your dog licking himself out of the camera shot, the thought of awkward small talk with the guy from accounting who always manages to smell like tuna probably sounds utterly fabulous right about now. 

Those who have lost their jobs completely or have had to close the doors of their small business because of this thing would likely give their right arm for the pain in the ass it is to attend, organize, or host some kind of, any kind of holiday shindig, drunk dancing, and bad karaoke included. 

For those struggling to make rent, cover bills, and put food on the table, the free meal, in and of itself would be a relief.

So, let's all just acknowledge that the last of 2020 is going to go out much like it came in, other than the murder hornets, I don't think the murder hornets became an actual thing. 

There is no way around it. This holiday season is going to be strange, strained, stressful, and sad. 

But, even with everything 2020 has stripped from us we can hang on to our tiny bubbles and let them carry us to the end of this thing. We are but a few weeks from having 2020 in the rearview, if you are finding it hard to muster up some holiday spirit this year, celebrate that.

And there is a bright side. No, really.

2020 has given humanity the gift of a forced understanding of what is wrong with how our world is run. It has shone a light on how messed up our priorities are as a society. It has proven that it takes a lot more than money to make the world go around. It has given us the gift of reminding us just how important tactile, real, in-person, human connection truly is. 

2020 has lifted the rocks and exposed racists from their hiding places, making them bold, stripping away their secret identities. 2020 has made them proud of their ugliness. Turned dog whistles into fog horns. This really is part of the bright side, for only when you know where the roaches live can you rid yourself of them. Once exposed, it becomes a lot easier to flick them out of your life. 

2020 has shown us who in our lives are susceptible to believing conspiracy theories and misinformation in general. It has shown us how deep into the rabbit hole they are willing to slide, even as it endangers others. 

2020 has redefined the word 'hero.' 

2020 isn't over yet. We still have time to be the bright side.

Food banks all over the world are being stretched to the limits. Different charities are working tirelessly to put together holiday baskets for those hit the hardest. Toy drives are looking for donations. Shelters can always use those winter coats and boots that nobody in your household wears anymore.

We still have time to be the bright side, even if it's from the confines of our tiny bubbles...

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Until next time...

May we all find a way to be the bright side, and not let the darkness overshadow our joy.

May we find a way through the season, but not just through, a way to embrace and enjoy.

May we find what we can share, and do just that, little things can light up a lot of faces.

May we share much more than what we can buy, kindness is free, and can be spent in countless places.

May we tap into our generosity, spreading it far and wide, giving makes smaller our troubles.

May we do our level best to be the bright side, even if it's from the comfort of our tiny bubbles. 

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