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Do you have a favourite Christmas song that instantly makes you feel happy? Maybe you should pause reading for a second and play it right now. Festive spirit feels in such short supply so blast it as loud as you can (hello, Mariah!).
I’m going doing my best to find joy in every place I can and music is a sure way to lift the mood. After all, this is going to be a holiday like no other and it’s easy to focus on only the bad things that happened in 2020.
It’s been horrific on so many levels and has broken so many people. Death, catastrophe, collapse, devastation. . . there are many strong words to describe this year that’s floored us.
But there are others that are even stronger to describe what it’s brought out in us: hope, healing, strength, love.
And they are truly powerful words. I’ve seen how people who were on the knees in agony rise up because of them. Doctors, nurses and others in the medical profession didn’t give up, no matter how much they suffered personally and professionally.Parents who lost children and spouses who lost their significant others kept going, one foot in front of the other, no matter how broken they are inside.READ MORE | Cape Town doctor on what it’s like to be on the frontline with Covid-19
These people inspire me to look for the light finding its way through the darkness. I’m reminded again of Leonard Cohen’s song Anthem: “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” I have no doubt that it’s going to be difficult for many people to find even the smallest sliver of light. There are many who will sink further into the darkness this holiday and for far too many Christmas is going to be a bleak affair.
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I’m going to do my best to remain on the hopeful side of things (somehow the word positive just doesn’t work anymore!) and be inspired by those among us who never give up even in the face of impossible pain.
I’m going to count my many blessings and I hope you can do the same.
Best wishes for a joyous holiday for you and your loved ones.
