'Tis the Season

   The count down is on... Christmas in 5 days!!  It is such a busy time of year with all the chaotic of preparing for this special day. Getting the presents, traveling, parties, cooking and the list goes on. I will have to admit I just love all the craziness that comes with it. It is one of my favorite holidays to be with those you love most and to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas the birth of Jesus. It is so easy to get caught up in all that "stuff" we have to do for Christmas that we forget the true meaning of what it is really about. For me it's a good time to get out of myself and give to others that may not be able to have a Christmas. The feeling you get when you do something for someone without anything in return is just amazing. I ask God on a daily basis to help me to do his will and to thank him for all the blessings I have received from him.

  This is also a holiday that can be very stressful if you have a hearing loss. Trying to hear the sales clerk when Christmas music is blaring from the speakers. Going to a party and having trouble hearing with all the background noise. Having to make a phone call about an order you may have placed and having to ask the person to repeat what they are saying. This is a good time to ask for help or explain to the person that I am talking to that I am deaf. This is not always easy especially when I am in my poor me attitude I would isolate and miss out on everything. I have learned though self discovery that I had to accept and love myself for who I am in order for me to be comfortable to acknowledge my deafness. Most of the time it is never a problem for people to accommodate my needs and to the people that gave me a hard time I just prayed for them. You never know what someone is going through unless you walk in their shoes that is why I try to be kind and understanding to people I interact with. The acceptance of who I am has led me to believe in myself that I can do anything if I put my mind to it and ask god for help. I am so very grateful to be on this path that god had put in front of me it is not always easy but, its very rewarding.


 This holiday hug your loved ones longer tell them how much they mean to you. Do something kind for someone and not let them know about it. Help someone or a family in need this year for Christmas. Most importantly thank god for all of your blessings you have received. Wishing all of you a very blessed holiday!! Merry Christmas!