Small Things Count

A friend sent me this morning, and I thought it sums up this past year beautifully.

If 2020 was a math word-problem: If you’re going down a river at 2 MPH and your canoe loses a wheel, how much pancake mix would you need to re-shingle your roof?

I’m sorry, but this Santa cartoon tickled my funny bone.

Today’s Thursday Thought is only a semi-serious quote:

“Three phrases that sum up Christmas are: Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, and Batteries not Included.” – Author Unknown

In keeping with my promised (threatened?) week of silliness, here are some Christmas bad (there are good ones?) puns:

• Where do Santa’s reindeer stop for coffee? Star-bucks!
• What’s every elf’s favorite type of music? Wrap!
• What’s the absolute best Christmas present? A broken drum — you can’t beat it!
• What happens if you eat Christmas decorations? You get tinsel-it is.
• What do Santa’s elves learn in school? The elf-abet.
• What do you call an obnoxious reindeer? Rude-olph.
• What do grapes sing at Christmas? ‘Tis the season to be jelly.
• What’s the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet? The Christmas alphabet has noel.
• What did the gingerbread man put on his bed? A cookie sheet!
• What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Ice Crispies.

I decided to keep things on the light side this week. And stay in a child-like spirit of silliness. Today’s offering is for all those readers who have a cat as part of their family.

You have to admit that it reflects our experiences this past year. Yes, those are masks, gloves, toilet paper, and who-knows-what that were put on by the Boston health workers.

Today’s Thursday Thought struck me as not just a blessing but a very practical one. If we have all three elements, our lives can be productive and fulfilling.

This pandemic is forcing us to face death more than we normally do. Most of us know at least one person who has been taken by the virus, or by other means. As we think about how to deal with the loss of a friend or relative and try to comfort those left behind to mourn, we tend toward platitudes and inaction, because we’re so uncomfortable.

“Anything I can do…anything at all,” we say to the grieving friend, then leave it at that, telling ourselves we’ll be called if we’re really needed.  A crucial time to care for our human family is when one of them has passed from this Earth.  Those who are left behind are in too much pain to know what help to ask for, although there is an overwhelming list of tasks that need to be done.  In a way, saying “call me if there’s anything I can do” puts an additional burden on the bereaved, because she may feel she should give you a task so you feel better. 

What can you do?  Mainly, be very specific in what you offer—to help make arrangements at the funeral home or, later on, to drop off the loved one’s belongings at the charity he supported.   This conveys the message that you really do care, that you can be depended on for the help and friendship she needs whenever she needs it. 

This pandemic has really interfered with our lives, including sharing birthday celebrations with loved ones. It’s dangerous to have a party, or even dinner with a group of people important to the birthday-person. So, what can we do to make the day special for all concerned?

Check out CNN’s 50 Ways to Celebrate a Birthday During a Pandemic.