You're a dad.  You happen to also be a grandfather, maybe a great-grandfather.  Your wife had passed much too young and you have been on your own for a while.  The important people in your life are close. Not across the state line, nor across the country, nor even across the pond. Close enough to get together when the occasion arises. And in only a few minutes. This has been an important thing for several years now.

It’s special to see your son or daughter for lunch occasionally.  Maybe go to a play, or see a movie, or make a special short-day trip to see a sight or event.

Your sibling or siblings has/have moved back near you.  You are at a point, since your wife passed, where you feel almost whole again.  Maybe you have some health issues yourself, but they are minor in the scheme of things.  No matter what your current experiences, life is pretty good.  Not perfect, of course, since that is unattainable.

You are getting into the spirit of the holiday season.  At least, as much as you can nowadays.  Previous changes to your life, and current opinions of holiday shopping have put a damper on what you remember as the holiday spirit.  You always experienced snow close to or during the season.  Climate change has done away with this, it seems.

Yet you'll all still get together to feast, exchange gifts, and enjoy!  And all will feel better for it.

The holidays are getting close.  On this day, however, you are sitting in a sterile room with your son smiling at you from an uncomfortable, overly adjustable, plainly made bed.  He is sick and not doing well.  His current situation and a terrible infection have gotten the better of him.  He will improve but the road will be a long one and the current outlook is that this may change his life.

He is the only person you are worrying about this season.  And everyone else is worried too.  Some scenarios begin to take over in your mind.  But you can't let them take hold and guide you.  You only have so much stamina before you begin to break down.

Everyone close to you are getting by, however.  Doing the best they can.  Lots of talk.  Lots of hugs.  Lots of goodwill comments make the days a bit brighter.

Finally, he's beginning to look better.   Talking more.  More aware.  Seems to know more about everything.  Previously, the medicine and infection kept him in a dream state.  Or, at least, out of the picture.  Now, the picture is coming back into view.  Slowly clearing.

He will still have a long road.  You will still need that extra stamina.  Life won’t be easy for a while.  Thanksgiving has come and gone with hardly a blip.  Even so, it seems to have had a positive effect.

This is simply one possible scenario out of the thousands that occur across the country daily.  Along with the many happy times throughout your life, these are the ones that are most important to you.  The “us” moments that require those important people who are gathered around you to support each other during this time.

This is no different than the collective whole of this country.  Family, friends, neighbors, even strangers coming together to make sure that what we have, what we see, what we do is for the benefit of the country.  Especially in times of despair, but at each moment we are needed.  With no hesitation, with no holding back, we join in to make it all work.