It's the Eve of Saturday, December 5th. This is when my brothers, sisters, and I (as children) would polish our shoes and put them in front of the bedroom door, hoping that we had been good enough that Saint Nikolaus would fill them with treats.
When my sons were small, I continued the tradition.
I'm also happy to see the traditional German Adventskalender has been adopted here in the States. It certainly makes counting the days to Christmas easier - especially as a child...
Do you have one? Have you been opening the doors? Or - like me, do you forget for a few days (week?!) and then get to catch up?
Sometimes that's what it feels like for me here...I focus on some things to the exclusion of others. Then, when I notice - whew!
Like my antique sink.
This is what happens beneath the Rubbermaid dishpan when I'm not paying attention!
In my defense, with everything else happening, it's not something that has been first and foremost on my radar....
Fortunately, it's a pretty easy fix.
It's also an interesting metaphor for other aspects of life...because this stain didn't happen in a day. Or weeks, even. It's probably occurred over months, gradually, so that I didn't even realize the extent of it.
Much like this video that I received today - an artistic representation (from Germany!) of what might be happening right under our noses - that we're not noticing.
I'm doing my best to maintain neutrality and compassion around what is happening - especially having friends in both camps.
I must have some cellular memory that screams out to 'pay attention,' because sometimes we've moved beyond 'an easy fix.'
Like the gradual erosion of our inalienable rights.
What are Inalienable Rights?
The Declaration of Independence gives three examples of inalienable rights, in the well-known phrase, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." These fundamental rights are endowed on every human being by his or her Creator, and are often referred to as "natural rights."
How long will it be until we realize this is an issue that needs to be cleaned up, I wonder?
By the time we do - will it still be an easy fix?