My sister makes an amazing coffee toffee. She came over for the weekend so together we could make large quantities of the candy for friends and family. I had never done it before, so she gave me jobs and taught me along the way. Of course, she has it all down to a science and I was in awe watching her as she got everything prepared and put together. At one point we took a little break and went to a craft fair where a friend of mine had a booth. I was so glad that my mom felt good enough to come along. We saw lots of crafty things and found my friend who made the most beautiful angel ornaments. The fair was actually at the high school that I attended. It was strange to walk around in there. Some things I remembered, some I did not. It did seem like a much bigger place when I went there. Later in the evening while we continued our candy making mission, the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” came on so we put it on the TV in the kitchen. Believe it or not, this was the first time I have ever seen it. It really was as good as everyone told me over and over again. Even though it was filmed before I was born, it was still very relevant. It is strange how things can change so much, yet the core of our human condition remains the same. I thought about the message of the movie and what a difference people make in the world without even realizing it. My sister and I have been best friends forever. My friend at the craft fair has been a huge part of my life for about 30 years. The relationship I have had with these two people alone has had such an impact on my life. They have helped to make me who I am. And so it is for the other friendships that I have and countless others who I may have only minimal contact with. I am grateful for them all. We cannot underestimate the influence we have on the people around us.

I Found God today in the impact of relationships in my life.