It's a Wonderful Life

This Christmas season has been very hard for me. We have struggled financially. I have been in a deep depression for about two months, and I have been sick for nearly a month. Through it all, though, we have been blessed beyond measure. From money mysteriously appearing in the mail to gifts anonymously left on our doorstep to whole circles of friends praying for relief for me from depression. I can't tell you how many meals have been brought to me and how many people have helped with my kids. Yesterday, I had a dear friend take my kids for a few hours so I could nap, then she brought us dinner, took me to Instant Care and then the pharmacy. Her sweet husband and another man from our ward gave me a priesthood blessing (Doug has been out of town). My in-laws have bent over backwards to help us. My own family has prayed for us and been emotionally supportive through all of this. I can not list all the people who have blessed our lives, partially because of the number and partially because of the anonymity with which many served us.

A couple of weeks ago, I watched It's a Wonderful Life. I have seen it a million times and always have been touched by it, but never cried. This time, I cried like a baby. It may have been the strep throat, but I think it was this: For the first time, I realized that I am George Bailey. No matter how hard life is, we are never alone. Heavenly Father has blessed us with families, wards, friendships, and even acquaintances. I sobbed when George read Clarence's note "Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends" because when I saw it, it said this, "Remember, Jessica, no one is alone who has friends."