‘Tis the Season to be … busy! It does seem that way, right? There are very few months of the year, if any, that are busier than December. As a family with children who are seemingly involved in just about every activity that is offered by any organization, I can attest to the fact that there is certainly no shortage of rehearsals, concerts, parties (birthday and holiday alike), ceremonies, costumes, snacks to prepare, gifts to buy, and in-laws with which to deal during the month of December. Add to all of that frivolity the day to day routine of work, if there is such a thing, and throw in the occasion of a Senate testimony for which to prepare, and you have what I refer to as the “Season of Exhaustion!” I am sure I am not alone in my observation that if we are not very careful, we can easily get caught up in the hustle and bustle and completely lose sight of the real meaning of this Season. It sounds cliché to say, but the truth needs repeating lest we forget to pause and reflect. This Season is, after all, one that gives us an opportunity to remember all that has been accomplished “year to date,” as well as to consider what we will undertake in the New Year! And more importantly, this time of year affords us an opportunity to celebrate according to our Faith tradition(s) with family, friends and loved ones. 
For all of us on the MCMC project, this month is one in which we will work to manage a project that is beginning to enter into its final stages of operation. We still have a lot of work to accomplish in the coming months, and we have the business of closure to conduct. It may seem strange to think of this Season in terms of closure, but in my own Faith tradition, the process of closure began with the birth of a child. For, even as we celebrate the birth of a baby, we know that His being born is only part (a third, actually) of the whole story. Beginnings are always followed by endings, but endings are rarely followed by the Hope that was offered by this particular story’s closing. For me, this Season is one of many dynamics, as you can probably tell. Like many of you, I am conscious of the continued struggles we face together as we work to complete our mission,  and I am hopeful that the closing of this project will be followed by years of implementing all of the lessons we have learned and the best practices we have created. There are many promising signs that we are nearing the completion of the overall recovery work, and everyone who has worked on the MCMC project has played an active part in finding solutions to the complex problems we have faced thus far. This week, reflect on all that you have accomplished and ponder the things that you will achieve in the future. Be hopeful, celebrate, and lift someone else up with the passion you have for your work. The world needs to be reminded that peace, hope, and love for others holds more meaning and are vastly more important than any bargain offered by any department store. You are all messengers of this truth.

Blessings,

Stephen P Carr II, MA, MFT
Program Director
Mississippi Case Management Consortium
www.mc-mc.org