The Spirit of Christmas

Spirit of Christmas...it's not a real thing, right?  Just a spirit.  When I was a kid, my mom always talked to us about the Spirit of Christmas---making it last the whole year through.  But, really, just whom was she kidding?  Two days after Christmas, all bets were off.  There were arguments, and attitude, that "deserved" moodiness, downright well.. bitchiness, when it came to my sisters and me.  I have five of them.  Then, there were all the younger kids....always a test of patience, were they.  Six are younger than me.
Promote the spirit of Christmas...I really liked the whole concept.  But, sisters can be the most infuriating creatures on the planet.  And if they are older--forget about it--you win nothing...ever.  Somebody or another, was always mad at somebody else, or another, about some thing, or another, somewhere in the house, at any given moment.  Chaos and confusion in the asylum.  Pretty status quo.  So...Spirit of Christmas, I guess it was a great  "idea"---"treat others how you would like to be treated", "it is better to give, than receive", "share and share alike"....and so on.  But, we just never seemed to get to that point--the place where we could try out those lovely philosophies.  It was more like, "hit the trenches", "prepare for battle", or "wave the white flag"...not, "isn't it a wonderful life?"  But, I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.  Good lessons.
Now, we are all adults, and far into living our own lives.  We siblings share a spirit.  It's probably the Spirit of Christmas.  We are connected, not only physically, but also, spiritually.  We have become a family again.
I like to think of the whole world as one big family and even maybe, someday, we all will live like one...as grown-up siblings have.
My heart returns every Christmas---to this "Spirit".  And though, I don't particularly like the whole maniacal approach to Christmas, the Spirit of Christmas is real.  It is a truth that is right in front of us, for the taking, for the giving.  Look around from your perch and see.  Reach out with a smile!  Touch a heart, a soul unexpectedly....Find the spirit in you...share it with others.
May the Spirit of Christmas touch everyone throughout the entire year!