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Life's not a hallmark movie, but it is wonderful

by Kerri Thoreson
| December 1, 2021 1:00 AM

The first day of the 12th month has dawned in 2021, the second longest year ever! In 31 days we’ll celebrate the arrival of a new year, but between now and then there’s much Christmas to be celebrated.

This time of year we all wish, or pretend, that life is a Hallmark holiday movie. But alas, life is seldom tied so neatly in a pretty happy ending bow. The holidays do bring out the best in people ... generous hearts, helping hands and wishing strangers "Merry Christmas." We seem to pause a little longer to watch snow falling or smile at the sight of a child sitting on Santa’s lap. Christmas songs on the radio also bring a smile.

What I wish is that we could and would remember this feeling of goodwill toward our fellow man and practice kindness in March and June and September, every day of every month.

An often-copied quote, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind,” is so very true. This time of year can be exceptionally challenging for so many for hundreds of reasons.

The best gift you can give is a smile to a stranger and extending a bit of grace to those who might need a little bit of Christmas hope. Be kind. Always.


A few years ago a wise friend who works with children in fragile family circumstances told me we should never tell children that Santa brings presents to children who've been good. There are so many good and wonderful children who won't see the things on their list from Santa under the tree on Christmas morning, through no fault of their own. So I've taken "Have you been good this year?" out of my vocabulary unless it's to children I'm intending to surprise with a Santa gift.


It’s just not Christmas without multiple viewings of "It’s a Wonderful Life." I’ve watched it since I was a little girl and never fail to be brought to tears by Harry Bailey’s toast, “To my big brother George, the richest man in town!” So many wonderful messages and quotes in the movie ... “What is it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down,” “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings,” “No man is a failure who has friends.”

Trivia: There’s a sign on the wall of George Bailey’s office at the Building and Loan that reads, “All that you can take with you is that which you’ve given away.”

‘Tis the season.


To anyone who regularly finds themselves rushing around a day or so before Christmas bemoaning the fact that the holiday snuck up on them, consider this your memo. You have 25 days, 600 hours and 36,000 minutes until Christmas day.


Happy birthday today Chris Pappas, Marge Chadderdon, Jay Bremner, Emily Castle and Connie Price. Tomorrow Brandi Hague-Little, Lois Holom and Wally Adams mark their special day. On Friday Joyce Ekness, Carol Fairhurst, Sandra King, Brittany Teverbaugh, Norbert Vedder and Jennifer Keefe open their presents. Carrie Ward, Bob Brooke, Tina McWhorter, Bayley Brooks, Dirk Fredekind, Doug Shevalier and Barry Corigilano celebrate on Saturday. Jennifer McGrath, Sharlene Scott, Marna Bateman, Annette Barstow and Anita Banta were born on Dec. 5. On Monday Kathy McDowell, Melanie Chun, Jocelyn Stott, Jennifer Hawkins and Kylie Allen celebrate. Cheryl Fitting, Patricia Marrs, Nathan Smalley, Dean Opsal, Catherine Cronin, Rhonda Newton and Randy Duncan take another trip around the sun on Tuesday.


Post Script: If you want to feel rich, just count all of the gifts you have that money can’t buy.


Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.