Many years ago two lovely young women gave me one of the most thoughtful gifts that I have ever received. Tucked away in a yuletide bag was the movie, Love Actually, a bag of microwave popcorn and a can of Diet Coke. The two young teachers were Lissa and Katty, outstanding educators who have only become ever better in their craft over time. Both of them were young enough to be my daughters but we clicked as friends who seemed to understand each other in magical ways. Being around them brought me so much joy and tons of laugher. It was as though we were somehow cut from the same cloth. We were almost able to read each other’s thoughts. 

I left the school where we all worked decades ago but through the wonder of Facebook I have been able to stay somewhat in touch with both of them. I still smile at their sassiness and sense of humor but also clearly see how devoted they are to their jobs of guiding young people. Needless to say both of them are cherished by their students and the administrators who hired them. They make learning interesting and fun but more than anything they make every student feel important. They have uncanny abilities to spread love wherever they go just like they did with me. 

The movie that they chose for me was apt. While it is at times free spirited and humorous at heart it is about the kind of love that lives and grows all around us even when we do not notice it. It is a delightfully hopeful motion picture that seems timeless even as hairstyles and music change. the idea that love comes in many different forms is a beautiful thought at Christmas time when we should all be called upon to open our hearts to the people who mean so much to us. It’s a great time to really let people know that you see them, think of them, appreciate them. When you begin to think about it you soon realize that the clerk who took extra time to help you find your way around an unfamiliar building is as much a part of the love we all hope to find in the world as our closest family members and friends. 

This Christmas I have heard from former students and colleagues. Christmas cards have come from people who never seem to forget me even though it may have been years since we have seen each other. Family gathers and we realize how important that kind of stability is in our lives. Dear friends bend and reschedule special occasions when something goes wrong and we have to cancel. Neighbors smile and wave and leave trinkets on our doorsteps. The yard men take extra care in making our lawn look outstanding for the holidays. People everywhere smile and quite sincerely wish us the best. We have so much proof that love is winning over the ugliness that we still witness and hope to change. 

In Love Actually there are betrayals, relationships that break down, those that are so superficial that they walk away when things get tough. Mostly there are beautiful friendships and discoveries of love in the most unexpected places which is exactly how it seems to work in real life. How often has someone surprised you with acts of kindness and caring that you never saw coming?

It would be easy to view the world with a sense of concern given the hatefulness that seems to float in the air but for every ugly action hundreds seem to step forward to proclaim good will. This is a season in which we would do well not to focus on hurt but instead to realize the incredible impact of friendship represented in a kit put together for a night of enjoyment. Lissa and Katty thought of that for me and their gesture remains a beautiful memory that only grows stronger and stronger over time. 

I have reached an age when the math tells me that I am running out of time. I have no idea how many more years I will have to shower the people that I love with the gratitude that they so deserve. Many of my peers have already gone to the great beyond. I know that I am not immortal but if I take the time to reach out to the people around me I achieve a kind of immortality for a moment. We all remember the people who spread love among us. Somehow their spirit lingers longer than they do. That’s because loving actually is the best way of behaving to which any of us might aspire. Not all the money or titles or power in the world is worth more than the thoughtfulness behind a gift that keeps on giving like the one that Lissa and Katty gave me. It was actually the gift of love.