What is Your Mother of All Holiday Wishes?

This year I celebrated my 68th birthday. Like many of you, over the years I have received hundreds of holiday greetings and well wishes. Most have wished me a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year.

As we approach the pinnacle of this year’s holiday season and the second Holiday season that is requiring all of us to continue to protect ourselves and others from the deadly COVID-19 virus, I am sure that you have still received and have given many holiday wishes.

However, have you taken the time to think about the answer to this question: “What would be the best wish that you could give to anyone during the holiday season or at any time during the year?”

In other words, “What would be the Mother of all wishes?”

Well, the answer to this question was constantly been on my mind when I returned to Phoenix after a visit with one of my sisters in Florida in November 2019.

The occasion was for her 76th birthday. A few years earlier, she was diagnosed with dementia. This progressive and sometimes chronic brain condition causes problems with thinking, behavior, and memory. During my four-hour flight home, I reflected on her condition and the time I had just spent with her.

As I thought through my recent visit with her, I could not help saying to myself, “I wish she was better.” Yet, in hindsight, “better” is not what I really wished since better simply implies an improvement in her condition.

As I thought deeper through the details of my conversations with her and my observations of her behavior, it became more obvious that “getting better” was not what she was wishing for either. It finally sunk in. Even though I may not have fully accepted her condition...she had.

Now, I realize that the random verbal expressions, her physical uneasiness and the inquisitiveness of her eyes all indicated that what she was wishing to find was some “peace.”

I believe that as we all go through our daily routines, especially during this emotionally challenging pandemic, our ability to cope and succeed is heavily dependent on us knowing that we are in control of our mind, our heart and our well-being.

Therefore, on behalf of all of us here at Richer Life, LLC, I extend to you this holiday season the Mother of all wishes --- Peace of Mind, Peace of Heart and Peace of Well-Being.

With the utmost appreciation and respect.