Scaffolds in Our Lives

Life can become very complicated as we grow older. At this stage in my life, I seem to find myself once again at the crossroads.   Decisions must be made and life must once again take a drastic turn. Each decision brings with it many risks. Each risk requires my acceptance of the consequences of taking a risk. Each time I accept the responsibility of the consequence, I must also accept my role in making it all happen in the first place. The grown-up decisions we must make year after year are at times daunting. But, as my eye doctor informed me as I realized I will need to wear readers quite often now…it’s all a part of growing up. How I wish life was as simple as needing to wear readers each time I pick up anything to read—including every label that I encounter. 

As I face yet another corner that I must turn in life that will lead to unknown roads and roadblocks, I find a hint of comfort. This month I have found more individuals who support me than those who oppose me. Let me be clear, I do have those in my life whose primary goal is to eliminate any hope of my success. We all have these individuals. That is just a part of life. But, they are too often the focus of our attention. I want to celebrate those who offer me the chance to blossom and grow. I want to focus just for a moment on those who support my thoughts, dreams, and foolish ambitions. 

The holiday season has brought these people to the forefront. I have found evidence of their existence in almost every facet of my life. To see them, however, is as mysterious and faith-based as a child seeking Santa Claus. I simply have to believe that what I see as evidence of their existence is true. As the world around me swirls crazy and out of control, I see a note on my desk, receive a visit from an old friend, get a thank you from the oddest source in my family, or enjoy a quiet moment of conversation with a colleague. 

Virginia needed to have proof that Santa exists. She learned that the spirit of the Santa Claus was much deeper within all of us. I needed to find out how to deal with life despite having those who may not have my best interest in mind. Instead I found a wealth of people who love and care about me. I found a host of family and friends who stand in silent support of my endeavors. I may not hear their cheers above the chaos of the day, but their support keeps me moving forward each day. The silent force that helps me dream, drift and find my way back home, succeed, and err. I make no move within the day without being swaddled by the family and friends all around me. 

I may have a person or two who actively seek to watch me fail, but I have a host of individuals who live to watch me succeed and stand with me when I do not. So much like the response to young Virginia O’Hanlon’s letter of query about the existence of Santa Claus which this excerpt comes:

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Sometimes we need to think about things differently. We have people all around us that make life full of beauty and joy. I cannot imagine life without those who hold my hand when I am frightened, call me when I am lonely, cheer when I am successful, and tell me that tomorrow will be better when today has fallen short of its promises. Today, I celebrate these individuals and honor their presence in my life. My hope is that I can bring them the light that they bring into my life.