Regardless of how difficult times are, there are gifts that we can give that don’t cost anything.  These are the gifts of joy, peace and hope.

Joy is the ability to see the positive in all things. A great friend of mine does just that.  After serving in the Air Force as a C-5 aircraft commander in the first Gulf War, she came down with a disabling disease. Also, she has a teenage daughter with cerebral palsy.  But, every time I talk or visit with her, she gives me the gift of joy.  Her life is tough and challenging every minute of every day, but she is always positive, kind, and thoughtful.

The gift of joy.

Peace is the ability to be calm and understanding at all times. One of my favorite airline captains had a sense of true peace.  Regardless of how frantic things got in the cockpit, or how ugly someone treated him, or how unfair life seemed, he never got upset or angry.  His peace permeated everyone around him.

The gift of peace.

Hope is to know that regardless of how tough things are, tomorrow will be better. The barrage of today’s negativism, anger, and fear leaves many people hopeless.

The true American spirit is the belief that anything is possible, that anyone can achieve any goal, and that we can overcome anything when we work together.  This spirit is what binds us together as Americans.

Tomorrow will be a better day.  We will survive these dark days.  We can achieve anything.

The gift of hope.

My family will celebrate this Christmas together.  We will work to give one another these gifts that cost nothing but reflect the best of the human spirit.

I hope that you and your family, as you open presents around the tree, will have the opportunity to give the gifts that really matter …  joy, peace and hope.

We do wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season.

Jane, John and the gang!