Ah…the pains, er joys of Christmas

I’ve been contemplating the idea of honesty lately. Realness.

As a child, I liked to have my own hidden world…you know, things that only I knew about or did. For instance, when my parents took us on the three month deputation trip visiting thousands of churches, I would sit on one side of the car, hide my face with a blanket and sing. I really truly thought that no one could hear me. It was my secret world, my place.

I wonder when it changes from a magical, fantasy world of pretend and secrets to something darker. When does it change that you tell your parents everything, share your whole life to keeping it a secret?

Christmas brings out the best and worst in people, I think. It brings family members together that don’t usually get together. It brings out teasing, childhood story telling and sometimes, secrets.

I value honesty. I value full disclosure. No, I’m not saying that I think we should bare our souls to everyone. But I do believe that if we cannot share with our own family our world, our secrets, then who do we have to tell or talk to?

I think too that if we were a bit more open about our lives with those who love us deeply, we’d be surprised with how much love and acceptance we would receive in return.

Still thinking…