This weekend I decided to go to the mall. My niece, LindaB was doing makeups at the Nordstrom's Trend Show. And being a former beauty consultant myself, I always like to know what's new in the industry. I arrived at the mall around 2pm and could not find a parking spot anywhere. The place was packed! After circling, I finally found one, thanks to my friend Joseph. I always ask St. Joseph for help.
The mall was packed! People everywhere. I went into Nordstrom's and it was mobbed at the makeup counters. Every chair was taken for beauty makeovers. I walked into the mall itself and it was just as crowded. It seemed to be a little better than Thanksgiving weekend. I felt a sense of energy run through me. I don't know if people were actually buying a whole lot but I sensed that people, at least for that day, lightened up a bit. After all the bad news on the TV, on the Internet, and the newspapers this day lended itself to a little hope during these hard times.
A little fun, maybe? A little walk around the mall with a cup of coffee or a pastry, maybe? Looking 10 years younger from a beauty makeover, maybe? Or, maybe just for one day, losing oneself in the midst of the crowds.
I know people are hurting, I know people are waiting on the food pantry lines, I know people are losing their jobs and houses. These are very real things that are happening right now to millions of people. And I know that our president-elect Obama said that this recession could get worse before it gets better. I know that! But I also know that there is hope and that is what I feel. The Spirit works through chaos and hard times in making things new. As painful as it is we are in the midst of a rebirth. It is going into the unknown that is the hardest. But we are a people of hope. We are resilient and we stand strong together. Reaching out to help each other is key right now. Being supportive, being a good listener and being hopeful for others. Depending on our circumstances, we could volunteer at a homeless shelter, or help out a neighbor who has fallen on hard times.
I count my blessings everyday and pray that I never take anything I have been given for granted. It is all gift from a very generous God. With hope and trust we can get through this with each other. I met a woman today at a store and she was laid off from a bank after 26 years. Ouch! that hurts. However, she was hopeful that she will get a another job, not at a bank though, but somewhere else and perhaps doing something different. Maybe God has other plans for her. You never know!
During this sacred time of Advent we wait and we hope and we trust. All is not lost and never will be.
