the gift

Sometime around fifteen, I was at a party. It hadn't really picked up yet; everyone was bored, leaning against the walls, muttering and sighing. Someone spoke up: "I wish they'd just get here already." The rest of the wall-huggers murmured assent. I leaned over to my friend and said softly, sarcastically, "Man, I wish people said that about me!" He turned and laughed and said, "Oh, believe me, we do."

I hope your Christmas was jubilant, if you celebrated, and that you got some sweet and exciting presents. But even more, I hope that somebody reminded you how much you matter, how much you're loved, and how indelible you are.

Love.