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Here??™s a true story??¦
The Feather by Sue Stevens
As the ringing in of 2005 quieted and the children lay sleeping in their beds, I sat and reminisced about the passing of yet another year. Where did the time go? We were just celebrating Easter, birthdays, summer, Thanksgiving, and now the birth of Jesus, the most precious present we receive on Christmas morning. And, the New Year has begun.
As my children slept on the morning of January 1, I began taking down the stockings and packing up the ornaments. I thought about the stress of the holidays, the preparation, the money spent on gifts, the argument with my husband. This time of year isn??™t supposed to be about the crowds, the chaos, the commotion. And yet, these things seem to be part of my life and of the lives of many other people I know.
I continued to wrap the ornaments and the lights were placed into boxes. The needles of the Christmas tree were everywhere! The tree was so beautiful and yet, it made such a mess! As I swept up the needles, sharing conversation with my mom who is getting up in years, we talked about all of the Christmas??™s we have shared together. We talked about my children, her grandchildren. We talked about hopes and dreams for their futures. I lifted up the rug to sweep underneath it and I made an unbelievable discovery. I found a feather. It appeared to be a white feather like that belonging to a dove. I had no idea where it came from, but am not one who believes in coincidences. It was there for a reason. It was there to remind me of what truly matters.
The New Year is not about looking back at the mess??¦it??™s about remembering the times well spent. It??™s about reminiscing of the family times, the times with loved ones, the moments that slip away so suddenly but those that leave a permanent mark on our hearts. The New Year is following the star as the wise men did. It??™s about keeping faith in our hearts and remembering the promise of hope for good things yet to be.
So, as each of you begin this New Year, may you also find the feather of a dove and remember what really matters.
Peace and a blessed 2005 to all of you.
Sue Stevens
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