December 22nd: Whether it's the dawning of a new era or simply a new day, it is a chance to begin again, with even more gratitude and compassion.
Tomorrow morning a woman will stir from her sleep, sit up in her bed, touch her belly, and realize for the first time that there is a new life growing inside of her. And I want to be able to say to her, “You going to love like you never knew you were capable of loving.”
Tomorrow morning child will leap up off the couch with a book in his hands and run to the kitchen where his mother is cooking breakfast and he will shout in joy, “Mama! Listen! I can read! I know how to read!” And I want to be able to say to him, “Congratulations! Now the whole world is open to you!”
Tomorrow someone will whisper to their beloved for the first time, “I love you,” and she will hear the answer echo in her ear and her heart. And I want to be able to say to them both, “Say it one hundred times a day. It never gets boring.”
Tomorrow someone will be sitting in a chair in their living room listening to the clock ticking on the mantle and she will realize that the grudge that she’s held in their heart has festered too long. And she will pick up the phone and say, “Listen, I forgive you. And I am sorry if I hurt you.” And I want to be able to say to her, “Your healing has begun.”
Tomorrow, someone will sit at the bedside of their beloved parent and kiss their cold forehead and say goodbye for the last time. And I want to be able to say to him, “I have been through this and I want you to know that this is not the end; they will always be with you.”
Tomorrow, someone will wake in unbearable pain. And I want to be able to say to him, “You do not have to bear this alone.”
Tomorrow a teacher will sit at his breakfast table in his pajamas and slippers on his first day of winter break. He will look out the window at the drifting snowflakes and recall every child he has ever had the privilege to teach. And he will wipe a tear from his eye, knowing all that he has done for them. And what he would do for them. And I want to be able to say to him, “You are a hero and I am so grateful for you.”
Tomorrow a soldier will lift a rifle to her shoulder and feel its heaviness in her hands, she will sigh, wondering if there is a better way. And I want to be here to say to her, “I believe there is.”
Tomorrow, someone will wake with a start, his heart pounding, his eyes ablaze and he will say to himself, “I know what I was brought to this earth to do!” And I want to be able to say to him, “Hurry! Go to it! We have been waiting for you!”
Tomorrow, your alarm clock will wake you with the morning’s news, and you will hit the snooze button and ask, “Again?” and I want to be able to say to you, “Yes. Again. What an opportunity. What a blessing. It’s a new day. Let’s begin again. Together.”
