‘Tis the season. We make wishes on stars, dream of better days and make resolutions. Christmas can be both magical and painful. A new year can be both hopeful and disappointing. I was driving today and thinking about my wishes. Some are attainable, most are not. To quote the Goo Goo Dolls….

Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days.

-Goo Goo Dolls

I wish Christmas lights could stay up year round and neighborhoods looked like they do at Christmas.

I wish no parents or spouses had to say goodbye too soon.

I wish I would have held the hands of my children a little longer when they were younger.

I wish we could know our best days and appreciate them before they’re gone.

I wish addiction and mental illness were not top trends on google every year.

I wish everyone could be an empath for one day or week. It would change the world.

I wish we appreciated those that have given their lives to public service.

I wish churches and those that represent our Savior could get on the same page.

I wish anyone that feels alone or desperate got a call or text that changed their day or thoughts.

I wish we loved one another as much as our family pets love us.

I wish the worlds current role models weren’t narcissistic, materialistic and shallow.

I wish political parties and leaders actually meant the promises they made to get votes.

I wish there was only one race….the human race.

I wish I would have hugged longer, laughed louder, listened better and loved more.

I wish every front yard was a sandy beach to a large ocean.

I wish our children never had to deal with something like a pandemic that even adults can’t understand.

I wish everyone, everywhere, that ever made a mistake, a fall or just had a bad day could understand grace.

I wish I gave more grace to those I love the most.

I wish carbs didn’t count.

I wish New Edition would have never broken up (their reunion tour ain’t doing it for me).

I wish I would in finally finish my book.

I wish everyone knew the freedom of owning your own business, even if you’re never rich.

I can go on and on. I have so many wishes. The reality is that we make our way. Despite the headwinds of life. Despite the storms. Our decisions have consequences. Good or bad. Our words either build up or tear down. While there is much we can control, the little we can, matters.

One final wish….

Please don’t ever become a stranger
Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere

-Taylor Swift