“In darkness God’s truth shines most clear."
- Corrie Ten Boom
2020 has been a taxing year. I have made a point to try and find the good among the negativity that has plagued us since the onset of COVID.
Some days, it’s a stretch for me to remain upbeat. I lost my brother Roger (Erickson) in August at age 67 after a long health battle. I lost my uncle Wally (Erickson) unexpectedly at age 89 to COVID in October. Wally was 89, yet he was vibrant and full of life. He was like a second father to me after I lost my dad 22 years ago to leukemia at age 29. Wally walked me down the aisle when I got married at 44. Wally was the person who was always helping at church and taking people to doctor appointments. He had an extremely contagious and hearty laugh and did so easily and often. Despite being raised in Sherburne County during the great Depression and experiencing a very challenging childhood, Wally always kept a positive outlook. Wally inspired me to remain hopeful.
Despite the dark cloud that has loomed over much of 2020, I am still counting my blessings.
2020 has taught me to cherish my loved ones. Despite being a year filled with grief upon grief for my family, I am encouraged by the fact that God knows our needs. My faith in God is the reason I have been able to carry on.
One local family has gone out of their way to encourage others this Christmas. The Kuphals (Jenny, Tom, Aiden, Cade and Sage) are in their second year of assembling and selling bird seed wreaths. They sell for $10. The Kuphal family went above and beyond by delivering the wreaths, as well!
The Kuphal’s live near Palmer and they love birds. The kids’ grandmother feeds the birds all year and they love trying to attract different birds to their home on Briggs Lake.
Jenny explained how the idea to make the wreaths came to fruition. Jenny homeschools her boys and wanted to teach the children about cost and profit.
Jenny shared: "Our family really loves making the wreaths together, and delivering them has been a fun way to meet our neighbors in the process!”
The family used Facebook to get the word out and anticipated they may get 5 or 10 orders. They were shocked at how many people responded wanting wreaths.
Local residents' support of the family wreath business last Christmas allowed the children to open their own bank accounts and start saving money.
The family also decided to give a portion of their profits to a family friend in need of a medical alert dog to help with a seizure disorder.
I am touched by this family’s gesture to help a family friend by sharing some of their profits.
I think one silver lining of COVID is that it has brought families together. People are home more and enjoying projects that had fallen by the wayside due to busy schedules. The spike in family activities conjures up fond memories of how we took more time doing simple things while growing up. It has forced us to slow down. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. A jeweler friend of mine told me he has been very busy this Christmas season. Ralph Stuart shared these thoughts: “I have noticed this year that rather than buying new jewelry, more people are repurposing old family heirlooms. Possibly because finances are tight, but also because more people are looking inward than in previous years.”
I know I am looking inward more than in previous Christmas seasons. I am making an effort to be the reason someone believes in good people.
Personally, I find doing a good deed not only blesses the recipient; it also blesses me.
There are plenty of ways people can give back in our communities. We can donate to Toys For Tots or the local food shelf. We can ring the bell for the Salvation Army. Sign up at: registertoring.com,
Even holding the door for someone can brighten someone’s day.
I plan to be on the lookout for how I can bless someone this holiday season. Will you join me?
