All We Need is a Miracle

By Dave Charles

here we are, another trip around the sun completed and the festive season once again brings hope of a better future … just like last year and the year before.

And so again we embrace the season with glitter, jingling bells, fake snow and Boney M, although if the truth be told, we really don’t expect what follows to be any different to what followed last year and the year before.

“O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant… Deck the halls with boughs of holly, falalala la la la la la… Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.” Peace on earth – now that’s something worth fighting for, hey?

Forgive me for sounding a touch cynical, but isn’t the definition of madness doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?

But maybe next year things will be different. All we need is a miracle.

Actually, I do believe in miracles. When my little grandson smiles at my attempt at a sea shanty and that small hand reaches for mine, my cup runneth over with joy and gratitude. He was born with a congenital heart condition that required major surgery. I asked for a miracle then and now, look… How could I not believe?

No one knows what the future holds but what we have in our lives right now that is good is a blessing worth celebrating. Of course, nothing lasts forever, and this too shall pass. But right now, if you have someone to love and who loves you, treasure that and remember the message that Max Ehrmann left us in the words of his poem, Desiderata:

"… whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Actually, I do believe in miracles. When my little grandson smiles at my attempt at a sea shanty and that small hand reaches for mine, my cup runneth over with joy and gratitude. He was born with a congenital heart condition that required major surgery. I asked for a miracle then and now, look… How could I not believe?