Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it! As you read this, I’m enjoying Christmas in the home of friends, most likely by now settling down for a snuggle with their cat (hopefully I’ve figured out how to cuddle with that sweet boy while taking my broken arm into consideration).

My family circle shrank more this year with the death of my sister-in-law Karen, mom to my sweet niece, who’s at her home in California. I might visit the remaining family here in Arkansas, but I only have Christmas off from my day job, and I’m cat/house-sitting over the holiday. Besides, I can’t drive for three months thanks to the broken wing, sooo …

No Christmas for me like it used to be, with all of us gathering at Nanny and Grandpa Terrell’s house (now oldest brother Mitch’s home) for soup, beans and chili and lots of sass, especially from myself, Corey and Mama. If it snowed, there might be some snowball fights, but no sledding because we’re too aware of our fragility now (ahem, second break in 15 years, and Mitch broke his hip not too awfully long ago). And now there are a lot fewer of us, spread further apart, with other obligations.

As dark as life has felt lately, there is much for which I feel thankful. I have friends who have proved willing to drop everything to help, including giving me a place to stay while I recuperate, ferrying me to appointments, and donating to help me pay my medical expenses (which shouldn’t have to happen in a wealthy country, but here we are). I can truly count myself among the fortunate.

Still, there are things I wish for, not just for me, but for all of us.

🗣️ A break from politics.

All politics, all the time, isn’t healthy for anyone, especially those who have forgotten or never learned the lessons of civics, including what the Constitution actually says, the importance of checks and balances in a healthy democracy, and how bills become laws (thanks also to “Schoolhouse Rock!” and Arkansan Bob Dorough for that one in a simpler time; lord knows how he’d have to update it now). Politics has a way of consuming its adherents and turning them into screaming Muppets without the entertainment value. I don’t want to turn into Statler and Waldorf, but I will if that’s what it takes to get some of you to calm down.

🕊️ Actual peace.

Just one day with no nation bombing another, threatening and/or killing civilians. One day with no one picking a fight on the Internet for entertainment. One day without inconsiderate people making everyone miserable and making others regret their decision to keep the peace. One 24-hour period where we all think of what’s best for our fellow humans rather than for ourselves. Is that too much to ask?

Don’t answer that.

😁 More joy.

I’m talking about pure joy that comes from something simple, like watching birds, squirrels and other wildlife at the park or in your backyard, or from the laughter of children. It’s that joy that delights in happiness, not the misfortunes of others. Some of us seem to have forgotten that. I recommend some time with kittens, puppies and babies. Failing that, find animal antics on YouTube.

🫂 Real connection.

I know some are tired of me talking about Threads, but I have made some good friends there, and it’s precisely because so many of us have decided that it’s connection that matters there rather than clicks. Because of that, we’re honest, and sometimes share too much, so when we find someone who really gets us, it feels so different than just gaining a follower. For introverts like me, it’s been a godsend, and I’m grateful for the new friends I’ve made all on my own (that’s big for me since I usually rely on extroverts/ambiverts adopting me).

❤️ Love.

Whether it’s the love of a significant other, a parent, a child, a sibling or other relative, a friend, or a critter, we all need to feel that we’re loved unconditionally. It’s part of what makes us truly human and able to empathize with others who may be suffering, rather than delighting in what they’re going through. To get that kind of love, we have to give it, which means we might have to face whatever makes us hateful sometimes and overcome it.

It’s worth the effort.

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

It wouldn’t be a column from me if I didn’t also wish for more chocolate, cat friends and great words, and as always, I do want that (tonight will most likely be a cocoa night with my cuddle buddy). However, I also wish for more understanding of our fellow humans, especially if we have more than they do. Even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes, we’re privileged in ways others aren’t, but that doesn’t make us better, just luckier.

And for now, I ask for a little understanding on the need for a shorter column this week (which brings to mind one more wish: May there be no more broken bones). Thank you for reading.