I’m writing this on Monday morning, the 22nd, and many of our clients and friends are getting ready for a week of family and merriment with a dash of stress thrown in.
Perhaps especially this year, it’s clear that while Christmas is a time of joy for many, it can also be a time of pain for a significant portion of my contacts as well.
Missing loved ones, loneliness, and pain can sometimes feel like the real “decorations” of this season. If that’s the case for you, know that you are not alone. You are loved and appreciated, not only by us here in the office, but undoubtedly by more people than you could possibly imagine. THAT is the bottom-line, real-world truth whether you believe it or not right now.
While I often write about important financial and tax-related matters in my weekly Note, I thought I’d share with you my annual prayer for Christmas. It’s worth printing and clipping near your monitor, so you can remember it even beyond this week. I can’t take credit for its authorship, and I don’t honestly remember where I got it, but it’s good.
So, I’ll save the tax and financial stuff for another time with one quick reminder thrown in: SAVE all 1095 forms you may receive from healthcare organizations-we’ll need them for your tax return!
Aurelia E Weems’ Prayer For Christmas
“People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.” -St. Augustine
“God, help me remember that the jerk who cut me off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
“Help me to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can’t make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
“Remind me, Lord, that the scary-looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that I can only imagine in my worst nightmares.
“Help me to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles, blocking my shopping progress, is savoring this moment knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
“Father, remind me each day that of all the gifts you give me, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those I hold dear. Open my heart, not to just those who are close to me, but to all humanity. Let me be slow to judge, quick to forgive, and show patience, empathy and love. Amen.”
Best to you. May your Christmas be truly bright!
Warmly,
Aurelia Weems
(936) 273-1188
Aurelia E Weems, CPA