So hearing about the Duck Dynasty craziness made me think of something that happened to me many years ago that I had all but forgotten until today.

Many years ago, I was hurt deeply by something someone said in Aaron's family.  It was something I never thought would affect me like it did.  

At almost the same time and when she heard of it a young woman stepped up out of no where and completely shocked, surprised, and awed me in the way she took it upon herself to defend us.  I was amazed and humbled, but not nearly as when I saw her again in the flesh.  

I remember we hung out as a family and friends one night and out of the clear blue, when we were semi-alone she grabbed by the arm and gave me a long and fierce hug and whispered in my ear, that she loved me and loved how I made her brother feel.

What she and her brother, Aaron, my boyfriend do not know, is that sometime later when I was alone ( I am old school like that) I thought on what she said, this young, devout Christian woman, and softly cried my eyes out.  Why?  Because I was happy, no, because I was sad, no.

Because she gave me hope that the entire world is not filled with hate, that the people who call themselves Christians are not all full of hate and that in there somewhere, people are inherently still full of love and acceptance.  Some have just lost it, misplaced it, put it away, whatever, but it is still there somewhere, like a spark or small light waiting to be found.

Beth, I have never forgotten what you said to me and will carry it always.

Merry Christmas one and all!

J