Love to all

It's the holiday season and love is in the air. You can sense it, just like you sense that snow is falling on the mountains in the distance as cold rain lashes you and your umbrella turns inside out, and you can't even see those darn mountains.

This is a wonderful time of year and even though I am not a religious person in the sense of traditional or organized religion, I am spiritual. For me the season is all about love and family, no matter what you celebrate or even if you celebrate nothing. I feel that love of the season everywhere I go, and I allow it to wash over me and warm me. To give back. To open my heart. To embrace. To be of good cheer. I'm not a big shopper or present giver, but the other day someone gave me a little gift that touched me in a big way. It was two candy canes left in their wrappers and glued together top and bottom to form a heart. Dangling on a string from the center of the heart was a gold bow and a silver wrapped chocolate kiss. Hearts, hugs, and kisses. Isn't that what it's all about?

I hung the heart from the lamp on my desk. I'm looking at it now, as I write this. It fills me with comfort and love even though I can't be with family this year, and it's just me and the dog opening our gifts. We're going out for a long walk in a little while, and we both plan to spread some joy.

Smooches from me and the pooch.