Dear Lord,

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness as the holiday season commences with The Big O insisting on going up into the attic to get down the lights, first, Mom! Just the lights! I promise!

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness instead of irritated when people invoke You in comments to me either here on the blog or on my Facebook page.

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness when I map out my week, and it calls for 24 trips to the Valley and home because of my eldest child's chosen school and decision to go out for the track team.

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness when I listen to the American Express Guy From India explain in his imitable accent that You are dear to the company, Miss Elizabeth, and we want to work with you during these difficult times.

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness when I wake in the wee hours of the morn and am filled with the unique thoughts of the Hours Before Dawn, all of which include college costs, a lifetime of caregiving, SUDEP, the 24 trips to the Valley (see above) and existential loneliness.

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness when people begin posting photos of their holiday trips to the Seychelle Islands, Hawaii or even just up the road at Mammoth.

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness when I realize that I literally have nothing to wear should I be invited to a holiday party.

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness when I hear Obama called a tyrant, even as the people who call him that remain free to do so, without getting their faces shot off.

Let me remain patient and filled with lovingkindness toward every member of my family, nuclear and extended, toward myself and toward our dog, Valentine.

Amen.