‘Tis the Season…

I love Christmas time.  Love it!

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Gatherings with family and friends, extra-special services at church, recitals, parties, even the travel, and the shopping….

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December is usually full-to-overflowing with wonderfully fun and festive special events.

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But, that often means that we also feel obligated to be at each and every party, event, or gathering…leaving the entire family exhausted, over-committed, run down, and susceptible to another, not-so-festive part of this season.  Germs.

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Yep, ‘tis also the season for sore throats, coughs, stuffy noses, colds, flus, and pretty much any other symptom you may find on the label of a NyQuil bottle.

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As much as I love Christmas, that is how much I don’t love the germs, and illnesses taking over my home and my family…any time of the year really, but especially at Christmastime!

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There are lots of fun, once-a-year, photo-op type special events going on this time of year.  And no one wants to miss out!

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So, in light of that, can I just make a simple request?

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Be considerate of others.

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Please?

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Realize that what might be “just a little cough” for your child, turns into a 3 week ordeal, including words like bronchitis, pneumonia, inhaler, and chest x-ray for mine.  And, I have a healthy kid!  But, I have friends whose children are dealing with chronic illnesses, and severely compromised immune systems.  For them, “a little cough” may turn into a lengthy (and expensive!) hospital stay, and separation from family.  Someone else might miss out on that special moment of holding their brand new niece or nephew.  Vocalists, and choir members, and even pastors may be unable to participate in special Christmas services that they have been planning and preparing for.

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All because someone didn’t want to miss a special event at church.  Because someone didn’t want to “waste” (read: use) a sick day at work.  Because someone didn’t want their child to miss out on a class Christmas party.

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Sounds a little selfish to me.

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Sometimes, it is difficult, even impossible to know that a child, who seems perfectly healthy in the morning, will be running a fever by mid-afternoon.  At that point, the damage has been done.  She has already exposed everyone at church, or ballet, or whatever, to her germs.

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These things happen.  And all the hand sanitizer in the world isn’t going to stop it.  (Believe me, I’ve tried!)

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But, it doesn’t have to be inevitable.

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We all have commitments – at church, at work, at school, at home.  I am sorry to be the one to break it to you, but you are not indispensable.  You can be replaced.  Someone else can, and will step in and cover for you – just as you would do for them if the situation were reversed.

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My husband is a pastor.  Sunday is, technically, a “work day” for him.  But, he “called in sick” this past week.  And, guess what?  The service went on just fine without him.

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I am of the opinion that the list of good (meaning legitimate) reasons for missing church is short – very short.  But, communicable disease is definitely one of them!

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We’ve all sat next to, or in front of, or behind “that person.”  (The one who spends the entire Christmas Eve service coughing, and blowing his or her nose…and then wants to shake your hand afterwards!)  And, we’ve all worked in the nursery with the inconsolable, crying baby, or in Sunday School with the cranky toddler.  (You know, the one with the perpetually-runny, green nose who just has “allergies.”)  It isn’t pleasant.

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This is not a disgruntled mommy rant – although I am sure some may read it as such.

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It is a reminder that, yes, the goings on  this time of year are special!  But, they are special to everyone, not just you.

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I am  just suggesting  that we all try to show love and kindness to our friends, family, teachers, and co-workers this season, in a very practical, tangible way.