 We are Family
It isn’t even Thanksgiving as I write this December column. Thoughts of family gatherings, things to be thankful for, and a table full of good food are in my head. Those are Thanksgiving images, to be sure, but that’s Christmas, too, isn’t it? Sharing good food, counting our blessings and enjoying our families? Family is first our biological relatives, but in this day and age, most of us have moved many times and are several hours if not a plane ride away. Fortunately we’ve become adept at building a family from our friends and neighbors wherever we may be. To my mind, that is the source of our strength at UUS. We support each other, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad. What can be more family than that?
My father and sister live in California. UUS has been my local family since my first visit in Sept 1997. My UUS family has helped and supported me through three family deaths, two aging relatives, and one joyous wedding. And I give back by helping others when they are in need. Why does this matter? Our tendency often is to stay home when we feel we can’t give as much as we have been giving (time or money) or our spirits are sagging. I want everyone to know that family counts most when you need them most. When your spirits, or your finances, or your family, are sagging, that’s when you really need your UUS family. So please don’t turn away.
Blanche DuBois may ‘have depended on the kindness of strangers’, but you don’t have to! (I just saw Cate Blanchett in Street Car Named Desire; this closing line of hers was just too perfect!)
Come celebrate Christmas and the winter solstice with your UUS family. We have four extra services in December: Vespers on Wednesday the 9th, Winter Solstice on Monday the 21st, Christmas Eve family pageant, and Christmas Eve candle light service.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Bonnie Lepoff
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