Kim Hudson: The hope we're all looking for is there

I remember when it happened. It was right after Halloween. I walked into a store looking for a rug for my front door and I was completely overwhelmed by the holiday “stuff” all around me.

I literally stopped in the middle of the aisle, as people buzzed by me picking up trinkets as if their life depended on it.

The Christmas shopping season had begun and I was feeling disgusted.

I’m generally a very positive person and I like to look on the bright side of things.

So it’s hard for me to admit that I’ve been feeling pretty negative lately.

That day in the store was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. The negativity around our world, the fear and prejudice surrounding us, coupled with our apparent greed has just been too much for me.

I found that I had lost my voice. My “writing voice” that is. I was afraid my words would sound too harsh or be misinterpreted. I felt bombarded by all the issues of the day that I just couldn’t make sense of.

And then the commercialization of the holidays began – along with the notion that it might be offensive to actually say Merry Christmas, and I was done. I was walking around feeling a little (actually, a lot) sorry for the world.

I am amazed at the hatred and fear that permeates every nook and cranny of our lives. The violence, the fear, the disrespect, the hate – all permeating our world and the lives of our children.

And then I remembered. I remembered that I proclaimed 2015 as my year of no fear. And that staying quiet was giving in to fear. I remembered my trip to Haiti in March and the hope and sense of community I felt there. And I remembered that is what I want for our world, our country and our community – I want hope.

We’ve become a nation on edge about everything. Words and phrases have become offensive, religion and politics are on steroids and we live our lives terrified that someone is trying to take away our rights.

The pendulum has swung so far in the opposite direction on so many issues that I fear it will come undone before it rests.

The hope I’m looking for is there – it’s inside all of us but it takes faith and courage to find it. Fear will keep us divided on all issues; it will separate and segregate us. Fear will stop us from helping one another and fear will build walls not bridges.

I am full of hope this Christmas; hopeful that we will remember what Christmas is all about and hopeful that somehow we find our courage and our faith to not be afraid. What are you hopeful for?

I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas!

Contact Kim Hudson at tkhudson@comcast.net.