Notes by La'Rue

Anybody that knows me personally, would tell you that Christmas is my favorite time of the year! After Thanksgiving is over, my Christmas joy, decorating, and music officially begins, but this year, I didn’t think that it would. By far, 2021 has been the absolute worst, with me losing more this year than I have ever before (i.e. income, death of my dad, etc.). Therefore, I didn’t feel there was anything to be joyful about, let alone was there anything worth celebrating, especially during a special time that typically brought family closer together. While I should’ve been grateful to be blessed to make it to the end of yet another year, especially considering all things, I was bitter to be ending the year on such a sour note. That was all I needed to allow me to conclude that I was not continuing on with my yearly traditions.

Suddenly, I had a change of heart. As I ended my shift at work, logged off the computer and sat to watch my daily dose of YouTube vlogs, I peered over and looked into the left corner of my living room, and noticed the space was empty just like me. The area that was typically reserved for my festive Christmas tree, was dull, lacking life and lights. “This is not me,” I kept thinking to myself. I couldn’t believe I was going to allow a terrible year, to take away my spirit, and keep me from doing what I love the most, celebrating. Besides, no matter the heavy ordeals I’ve experienced this year, life is still good. So, I sprung into action, set the music to Motown’s Christmas favorites, put up and decorated my tree, and begin to enjoy my favorite time of the year. Though Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch tried to steal Christmas, they couldn’t steal my joy!

Don’t stop doing what you love, just because you don’t love how things have turned out for you!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue