It Really Is a Wonderful Life

It is Christmas time again. We are full swing into our annual x-mas affair. We have many of the big items already out of the way. You are nearly done shopping, decorating is completed, the tree is in place (and really tall!) and the sounds of the holiday fill the house (and the car, and the bathroom, well eveyrwhere). On Sunday we added another of the final holiday touches.

George Bailey finally found his way into our home. He was a bit late this year, but his arrival was well timed. We had just finished the tree and we had all settled in for our holiday evening. I never really liked this movie before I met you, now when I watch it I realize why it has become so important.

The premise is simple. George's life is in turmoil. He blames himself. Life has failed him and he is angry. None of George's hopes and dreams came true. In short, this world would have been better off without him.

As George reviews his life he realizes just how many people he has touched and what a lasting impact on them he has made. George learns what a wonderful life he really has had. This time when I watched it I found myself shedding a tear. I had never done that in previous viewings.

My love, I wondered just how many lives you have touched. How many people can count themselves better off for having had you in their lives?

I can quickly name 3. Me and our two beautiful girls. We should count twice (or even three times) on this list. You have given each of us so much life. Some much purpose. Your impact on us has been immeasurable. But we are easy to identify. So I will dig a bit deeper.

Next on my list is the boys. How much of you is really in them? How much of their personality is a reflection of you? I say a lot. During times when they needed family you were always there for them. When those boys needed some comic relief and the ability to "forget it all" you provided them a haven for such activity. When they needed advice or a listening ear, you were always there. I cannot imagine how much harder their lives would have been had you not be around to provide them some real family.

I'll move next to your sister. I know you recognize how much she helped you when you were younger, but I think the reverse may be more true. Even when you were younger you provided her the close family she needed when she moved far away from her family. Summer visits and an extension of her family in Texas. Then when we got married she had you for holidays, you to lean on and you to give her boys the extended family they needed. When she got divorced you where always there for her - even when she was very difficult. Even now you provide her some sense of reality about who she really is in life.

Finally I will go to your mother. Of all the people who have failed you in life, I think she tops the list. Yet you don't cast stones. In fact you almost single handedly allowed her to take an important step in her life. I remember very well your trip to her "group". I remember how hard it was for you and how much courage it took. Yet there you were helping her and providing the incentive ("you will never see your grandhildren") she really needed to get her life right. Trust me she deserves much credit for what she did, but she had you there helping her.

I could go on. We have friends whose lives you have touched, you have co-workers whose lives you touched and your compassion will live on forever in our girls.

I guess now I realize why that movie means so much to you. I wonder if you realized it as well.

Thanks for making my life such a wonderful place. I love you so much and am thankful that our lives touched each other. However, the scale tips in your favor and I get to benefit from it.

Merry Christmas my love.