Hello everyone:

Welcome to December and the month in which we write our lovely annual letter to folks we care about and want to remember at this time of year. Today’s blog is about what to write- or not write- as you compose these weighty tomes.

Please tell me how you and the family are doing. We want to know what you have been doing since we last met.

Please do not tell me the intimate details of your recent surgery. I do not want to know about the cyst or tumor that you had lanced and how the doctor used this great big needle to drain all the pus that was encapsulated therein. Nope, dear friend, this is TMI.

Please do tell me how your kids are doing in school, if they have specific accomplishments.

Please do not tell me that your kids are the smartest, most wonderful, and incredible kids on the face of the earth (this applies to grandchildren, as well).  Yours aren’t. Mine are.

Please tell me what’s on your mind as you go through life, what your hopes and dreams are.

Please do not tell me about the recent political dealings and how you think the country is going to pot (literally) or how the current occupier of the White House is a crook. He may very well be, or not, but let’s set that aside for now. BTW, since you may not know who I voted for, you may insult me or otherwise offend my choice of candidates. You never know.

Please tell me how you grew this past year, and how you are working to make your corner of the world a better place. Share with me how you made Christmas cookies with the kids (or their kids) and got a bath in flour when the bag dropped on the floor. Tell me how you shared your faith with your little ones and how they responded by turning their lives over to Christ.

Please do not tell me about various grumblings regarding unimportant incidents in your life or start moaning and groaning about the guy who cut you off on the beltway or how Black Friday shopping irritated you.

Please tell me how I can pray for you in the coming year. Let me have the blessing of knowing how to prayerfully support you in the coming days.

Please do not sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff.

Best,

Dr. Sheri