Month: December 2024

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A Small World

Several years ago, I had the privilege of meeting the brilliant songwriter Richard Sherman at our Glendale campus. Ironically, I had no idea it was him! We were both late to a meeting and ended up sitting on a couch in the back of the room. We were enjoying a friendly chat when the emcee at the front of the room suddenly announced a special guest speaker. Richard stood up and walked to the front of the room. I blushed, finally realizing who I had been talking to. Richard turned around and looked at me and laughed. He went on to play his beloved songs, including “It’s a Small World (After All).” 

Sadly, Richard is no longer with us. But before his passing he left us with one final gift… a last verse to this iconic song. If you haven’t seen this, I recommend you take some time to watch this right now:

Warning, it may require tissues… at least it did for me.

As we enter this season of love, joy, and peace, this song reminds us that we are all inextricably connected. Sure, in many ways there are differences. We may be separated by some beliefs, ideas, customs, and distances. But we all share laughter, we all share fears. And even in our world of hope, we all shed some tears. Theres more that connects us than divides us. One of the amazing potentials of humans is our ability to connect across vast expanses, to smile, to care for each other, to love and be loved. But it is still our choice. If I may be so bold, when you have the opportunity, choose love. 

As Richard and Robert Sherman would put it, 

“It’s a world of laughter
A world of tear
It’s a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There’s so much that we share
That it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after all

There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to ev’ryone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It’s a small world after all

Mother earth unites us in heart and mind
And the love we give makes us humankind
Through our vast wonderous land
When we stand hand in hand
It’s a small world after all.”

And yes, that song is probably stuck in your head by now. You’re welcome.

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You’ve Got Mail!

“I like warm hugs.” – Olaf

Okay, I’m not talking about AOL, email, or the movie. My inbox would crash a notifier like that with the hundreds of emails I get each day. No, I’m talking about real physical mail. It may look like the mail icon on most email clients, but instead of pixels, it’s real paper. They arrive in the little metal box outside our house. Now, I admit, most of the time that mailbox is full of ads for things we don’t need, extended warrantee renewals for items we don’t own or extremely important open now offers for vacations we don’t want. But every so often, in that pile of nonsense and recycling targets, is a real gem. 

This time of year, envelopes of love wrapped up in memories, reflections and joy start to arrive on a daily basis. Friends, family, and dear acquaintances from long ago reconnect across time and space with a holiday greeting card, an address, and a stamp. Those tiny bundles of care soared across the oceans, over lands, across snow-capped mountains, wandering rivers, and desert valleys, and finally arrived at our home like a warm hug. You know me by now. I get nostalgic and emotional about all these wonderful tiny human touches. They remind us that we are all related, connected, remembered, and loved. They are small things, but they mean so much.

I love sending holiday cards too! We make it a family event. My wife spends time pulling together photos she wants to use and with my daughter’s help, designs and sends them off for printing. My daughters label all the envelopes, so they are ready to go. After work, I take time to stuff each one, thinking about every person and family that will receive it. Memories fold into every envelope. Concern, love, and hopeful wishes accompany every stamp placed. Off they go on their journey to our friends and family, along with our love, hopes and prayers.

This time of year can be busy. The lists are non-stop. Shopping, planning, mailing, volunteering, cleaning, hanging, cooking, and traveling… all those activities spin up in our lives and can even overwhelm us. I must remind myself to add to that list, resting, remembering, and reflecting. We are surrounded by so much beauty, so many precious connections with people, moments of joy and instants of delight. But they are fleeting. Don’t let them soar away without your attention. Snuggle up next to them. Wrap your mind around their short but precious existence. Soak in every connection, every person you encounter and every moment you live. We won’t walk this way again. Tomorrow is coming and it will be glorious, but don’t miss the chance to savor today. Treasure your loved ones and every moment you have with them now and throughout this holiday season.

May this season bring you love, joy, peace, and of course, a warm holiday hug!