Yes, that's the title of a song from “Flower Drum Song...” and was sung by Miyoshi Umeki in the movie. It has always been my favorite song from that particular musical.
It seems to me that it is even more appropriate now, in these times. Why? Because we need to see the miracles that surround us everyday and let them renew our faith and hope.
We live in a miraculous world in less than stellar times. War, poverty, economic downturns, mistrust, mismanagement of resources, and an ever widening gap between the Haves and the Have Nots......impede our ability to see the good in life.
And yes, there is good in life. Lots of good things happen, every day. Not always to us, but certainly around us, if we will just look. Did the sun come up at dawn today? Were there stars in the sky last night? Did you wake up alive this morning?
Of course, you're right: way too oversimplified. I have a tendency to do that, you know. I reduce things to the lowest common denominator and come up with much better equations than lots of other folks do. Is it because I am Simple Minded? Or Simply Mindful of the abundant good around me?
Is it because I live a charmed life and have never known tragedy? Or poverty? Or the myriad of things that can take us to the depths of despair? Or is it because I have made a conscious choice to find the happy and cherish it?
Finding your own happy doesn't mean ignoring the plight of others. I am touched, every day, by the horrible things happening to others. Can I do anything about it? Sometimes, I can. As a nurse, I can say or do something to help others. Often, it isn't much that I can do, but it is something. And often, a single act of kindness, or morsel of hope, is enough to keep someone going for another day.
As the holiday season approaches, I am hoping that we can all share what we have with those who have less. It doesn't matter what holidays you celebrate, or how different your beliefs are from mine. We all know someone who needs help, and we all have something we can share.
There is no sparkly bauble, no worldly object, and no amount of money that can make me feel better than the mere knowledge that something I did made life a tiny bit better for someone else. And yes, you could say that is selfish of me: giving to others so I can feel good about myself. Guilty as charged.
I am involved in a couple of projects this year. One of our home health agency patients is moving out of a very small travel trailer into a seniors' housing complex. We are finding furniture for his apartment. The local Emergency Aid group is desperate for non-perishable items to feed the poor and the homeless on Thanksgiving, and again on Christmas.
Our hospital is collecting “Coats for Kids” and the local motorcycle club has their annual “Toy Run”....collecting toys along their route and ending up at the Recruiting Center to give the toys they collect to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots.
So, if you must, complain about the economy, the government, global warming, and all that other stuff. When you are through, go look at the face of a child, sitting on Santa's lap, receiving the only toy she will receive this year. Look at her bright eyes, her sweet smile, and the ragged clothes she is wearing. Watch her as she clings to that Baby Doll that someone bought and donated.
Holiday cheer and generosity start with you and me. Let's each make at least one of those hundred million miracles happen during this holiday season...
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