"The Gift" ... love overcomes

Friday, 12/26, we attended the Brickman Homecoming Concert at Severance Hall in Cleveland. Kristi and Adam joined us for the evening. We have enjoyed Jim Brickman's music over the years and our lives have been enriched because of his lyrics as well as the music. See http://www.jimbrickman.com/ We may have the entire collection of Brickman music which you are welcome to borrow. We enjoy it for the wholesome and simple lyrics and music scores which move us beyond the daily cares and stresses which we so often allow to weigh us down.

It was during "the gift" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12YIJEoRa28&feature=related when I was confronted with my prejudices and/or assumptions of the couple seated to my right. They had come after the show started (and the show had been delayed 20 minutes) and their appearance, body shape/size and dress had caused me to recoil at the thought that we would "enjoy" the concert with them. Come on be honest, haven't you ever been disappointed or made assumptions of the stranger who sat beside you at a public event?! OK, so maybe I'm the only fool ...

It was during "the gift" that I noticed he reached into her lap to hold her hand! This man loved this woman, this woman loved this man ... and I wondered, I realized, they must have a wonderful story to tell. My prejudice became my shame ... I will never know how these two people discovered love and know those "all's right with the world" moments.

It was during "the gift" that I began noticing love around me. Kristi had tilted her head back on Adam's shoulder and closed her eyes. I realized my daughter is completely in love, she has chosen to surrender to the wonder of the gift of love! I'm happy for her ... she and Adam are discovering their story.

It was during "the gift" that I marveled in the wonder of the trust, hope, joy and love Julie and I share. I realized again, in spite of my appearance, my short-comings, my failings, my inadequacies, my less than being perfect she has chosen to love me ... the gift. In the midst of the uncertainties and fears of life ... surrendering to the love of my lifelong friend, companion, lover and spouse is something I am so thankful for, I am a better man because of the gift.

As another year comes to a close, as today we anxiously await the birth of Laura and Erik's second child, I am thankful, humbled and hopeful because of the lesson I re-learned at Brickman's concert: love overcomes ...