With Christmas approaching I have to be honest and say I have not given your role in the Christmas Story a lot of thought. I just knew that you were the one to carry Mary and her unborn child, Jesus, as they went on their long journey to Bethlehem. Forgive me for taking you for granted and pretty much ignoring the great gift that you gave.
As is so often true, when I learned a little more about you I had a greater appreciation of you! For a very long time you and the members of your family, have given the gift of your strength to help humans carry heavy loads and transport goods over long distances. Thank you for your strength. I was amazed to learn that there are 44 million of your family members through out the world, and that your favorite food is grass!!
A surprise for me was that you, whom we have labeled as stubborn, are truly not so!! The behavior that had been labeled as stubborn is really your way of taking care of yourself, which you are very good at. A lesson that we in the human family need to learn and heed. Your self preservation instincts are so strong that you will refuse to proceed if you sense danger. I would say that is a wise move and far from being "stubborn".
Another gift that has also been construed as stubbornness, is your unwillingness to proceed when you are overburdened!! That too is a wise behavior, that many in the human family could benefit from. Isn't it sad that you can be thought of as stubborn...for taking care of yourself!! You are just plain smart Donkey, and I would be smart to imitate your behavior.. especially with regard to taking care of myself.
I loved learning that your very presence has a calming affect on distressed horses which is why you are often brought to the fields to be with them. Thank you again dear Donkey for your big heart. That big heart is reflected in another of your gifts, your loyalty. I read that once you get to know and trust your owner, you are extremely loyal and a good friend.
Wow...how did we miss so much with regards to you? I/We have focused on your "stubbornness" all this time only to learn that I/we have judged you wrongly. I am sorry and I ask for your forgiveness.
What would you like to say to your family members who have judged you so?
Dear Assunta,
I hope you have all learned a good lesson about not making judgements without knowing the facts.. the real facts. I have many good qualities that you are now more aware of and hopefully will change your perception of me as "only an ass" in the most negative sense! I would be glad to spend the rest of my days with out that particular label.
And I have to say, not all people have seen me that way. Those who have truly loved and known me have seen the best of me!
With Christmas coming I offer you the gifts of the best of me that you have uncovered and ask you to live them and give them to each other.
This Christmas too, may we look at each other with new eyes and open hearts.. and who knows.. we may find that some other long standing label that we have applied to folks no longer apply due to misinformation or that we have allowed the person the possibility of change.
Often, when we are hurting, all that is needed is a calming presence, like my just being with the horses when they are upset. We can all be that calming presence to one another if we choose.
Why wait till Christmas.. Start now..and what a wonderful Christmas we will all have!
Dear Donkey,
Thank you for you and your genuine gifts...this sharing has given me a vibrant sense of what this Christmas Season can be for all of us..starting right now!
