I’ve always loved Dr. Seuss books—the quirky characters, the imaginative language, and the words of wisdom. One of the most endearing stories of Dr. Seuss is Horton Hears a Who!  One day while splashing in a pool, Horton the elephant hears a faint voice coming from a tiny dust speck. The dust speck is actually a minuscule planet inhabited by the Whos. Horton places it on a clover and vows to protect the inhabitants of Whoville. While his oversized ears enable him to communicate with the Whos, no one else seems to hear them.

Horton’s friends and community make fun of him, believing he has lost his mind and accusing him of talking to someone who doesn’t exist. They try various methods to capture and destroy the dust speck, but Horton is determined to save the Whos at all costs. In his view “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” As most of us know, Horton and the Whos find a way to save their tiny home.

As I’ve observed the circumstances of others this month, I’ve been thinking a lot about Horton and his commitment to save the Whos. Although I am immensely grateful for the wonderful blessings in my life, for some reason Christmas gets to me every year. Like many others, I struggle through the Christmas season, feeling like I’m disconnected from the holiday cheer. So this December in an effort to reconnect, I’ve decided to take a hint from Horton. I’m making an effort to be more aware of those who cross my path and trying to do what I can to lighten their burdens. As that wise and faithful pachyderm once said: “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”