I feel a particular affinity for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, especially the claymation television special. It aired for the first time 50 years ago and has been a favorite for millions since. I even have a Christmas tree ornament depicting Rudolph, red nose all lit up!

Rudolph has meant different things to me at different points in my life. As a child, it was the singing I recall most. As a young adult, I couldn’t wait until the strains of “There’s Always Tomorrow” began – and I’d sing along loudly! Now, since my lupus diagnosis and the health challenges that have followed, I’ve a deeper view of Rudolph. That is, the little reindeer with his physical anomaly, which made him different from all the other reindeer, struggling to find his place in the world – even running from the world at times – and finally discovering to everyone’s amazement that his “place” is most important at a time of great crisis. Almost as if at Rudolph’s weakest, his most different, he was at his strongest.

If you’re living with serious health problems, this is something inspiring to think of. So often, we view our physical impediments as weaknesses. But if we dig deep, we just might find that they are completely the opposite – they are tremendous strengths! And we can use them to help ourselves and others!

Good old/young Rudolph! Even as I put away the ornaments this year, you’ll hear me singing “There’s Always Tomorrow!”

Peace,

Maureen