Even in the midst of unwrapping, wrapping presents, and thinking about how blessed we are, there is pain. There is fear, poking it's head around the door to our insecurity. As we eat-feast, really-if we look, if we feel, we can sense the anguish in the hearts of those around us, and maybe even within ourselves. Anguish that is there, and future anguish that is inevitable. Every little joy has a little pain. Every present is tied with a ribbon of sacrifice. All the gifts are wrapped up in disappointment. And all of this is just one more real illustration of how

We are

many little droplets of liquid in a river of hurt that will keep on flowing until eternity comes.