I will be honest, growing up I always felt like I could relate to the character of Tiny Tim from the Christmas Carol. I think a lot of this had to do with not looking forward to Christmas due to extenuating circumstances involving my family and life. As a result every time I watched this movie, I could sympathize with Tiny Tim because he simply didn’t have a lot.
Furthermore, Christmas has always been a hard time for me. My parents are divorced, money has always been limited, and my family has always been scattered on the holidays. What’s the point? I felt like I had no sentimental value attached to the holidays, and to be honest this always saddened me. My friends, coworkers etc. always went into extreme detail each year about what their family traditions are and how excited they were for presents they would be receiving. Don’t get me wrong, I was filled with joy for my friends who had so much to look forward to on Christmas, but hearing these conversations always brought me sadness. Looking into this sadness, I knew it stemmed from two places. One, I desired this sort for happiness for the holidays and two, I was saddened because I felt like the real reason for Christmas has been lost in todays society. In America, we’ve become so caught up in the fancy decorations, the copious amounts of food and the presents that we forget the real reason we’re actually celebrating.
Now this year is different. I want to continue to be like Tiny Tim, but not because his life is tragic BUT because Tiny Tim represents purity of heart, intention and religious faith. These are two characters that one simply cannot affect. Tim is so optimistic despite his circumstances and he teaches us that individuals do not need to take the form of the world around them. This year, I chose to seek the real meaning Christmas with all the fluff stripped away. I chose to have joy around the Holidays not because I can, but because my faith allows me to.
Don’t get me wrong, Christmas is still hard for me this year, but I don’t have to spend it dwelling on my circumstances, but instead I can chose to spend Christmas praising our Savior that he was born, and seeing the true joy Christmas can bring.
I think we should all strive to be like Tiny Tim this year.
I want to wish all my family and loved ones a Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please know that I am alive and well and I will be spending the holiday with my team in Bolivia. I miss you all and I really look forward to spending Christmas together next year. I know being on the World Race is teaching me the real meaning of Christmas and I look forward to sharing this new perspective with you.
May God bless you, Meg
