It's remarkable how the bright cheerful smile and happy greeting from a little girl can melt your heart. To me, that's the essence of the Christmas season.
Yesterday while in Costco, having just checked out, a little girl with pig tails and a bright red dress, looked up at me with a big smile and said, "I'm Princess Julie. What's your name?"
She and her mom were just behind us in line, so I told her, "I'm King Bob and this is Queen Jackie," as I pointed to my wife, who was smiling broadly.
"How cute!" "What an adorable little girl," Jackie said.
But Julie wasn't finished.
"You're King Bob and she's Queen Jackie," she said, nodding rapidly, her little pigtails bouncing.
"Yep," I said. "And I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!"
"I hope you and Queen Jackie have a very Merry Christmas, too," little Julie replied with a giggle.
What a nice moment that was. You can be grumpy from trudging around Costco, battling the crowds, not finding what you want -- whatever. But let a little innocent child smile at you and wish you a Merry Christmas...and all that melts away.
Wherever you are, little Julie, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
And so, I share that same wish for you. Here's a quick little video to express my thanks for all my readers' loyal support over this past year.