Of a certain age.....

I often wish all the sentiment, generosity, and good will of the holiday season could be spread out over all 365 days of the year. Instead, those qualities more often encompass about one month, from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Imagine the difference it would make in so many lives if our spirit of care and giving were extended to our neighbors and the world all year long.

The sense of frustration I feel about the current state of affairs here in the U.S., as well as globally, has definitely dampened my celebratory feelings. I finally came out of my funk and did some minimal Christmas decorating last week. A little candle glow and a few colored lights did wonders to raise my spirits.

I enjoyed shopping for my Giving Tree child and my two sons. But carols about "peace on earth, goodwill to men" seem to ring a little hollow, as Republican presidential candidates spread fear and divisive bigotry. With gun deaths and terrorism competing for the headlines, it doesn't seem much like a "silent night" or a time to proclaim "joy to the world."

My Christmas wishes this year are much more global in nature, with a few for our own little town. I know I mentioned in an earlier column my desire for a return to a more civil society. The louder the negative rantings over the airwaves and across the Internet, the greater my hunger for more civility.

My first Christmas wish is for people's hearts to be softened and opened, willing to listen to one another with curiosity, rather than fear or defensiveness. That wish covers the waterfront, beginning with Sisters and reaching across the world.

Another global wish is for the destructive forces of climate change to be arrested through the combined efforts of all nations and citizens of the world. This beautiful blue orb that has existed for eons is being destroyed by the greed and indifference of human endeavors. My fondest wish is to see Mother Earth loved, cared for, and her scars healed.

And here's the big one: I wish for an end to world hunger, or at least a giant step in reducing it. Every time I see a photo of an emaciated child staring blankly at a camera, my heart breaks. It's intolerable, with all the abundance in the developed countries of the world, that stomachs of starving people can't be filled, even here in the U.S. Of course, that effort begins at home and in Sisters - with our year-round food banks, school lunch programs, and holiday sharing - we are at least making an effort.

My wish for Sisters is that we as a community find a long-term solution to our need for affordable housing, not only for young families but also for retirees who are living on fixed incomes. Sisters is a desirable place to live, but risks becoming an enclave only for those of greater means. Together we can work on plans for providing single-family as well as multi-family dwellings, so those who want to live here will be able to afford to do so.

All these wishes are a pretty tall order. Rather than giving up hope and throwing my hands in the air, there is something I can do. Instead of waiting for others to fulfill my wishes, I can step forward and become one voice among many, working to heal our world, in small ways. The combined efforts of all of us can have an impact and make a difference.

May the love and blessings of this season be yours to share with others throughout the coming year.