Friday Five: What brings us up when we are down

Mary Beth has put up this Friday Five.  She has been wondering what picks us up when we are down.:

So, for today's Friday Five: What lifts you up when you are low or troubled? Who helps you remember that you are not alone, it's getting better all the time, etc.?

Your five responses can be people you know, people you DON'T know, music, places, foods, scripture, surprises, something you do for someone else. It could be a pair of slippers. It could be a glass of water.

Bonus: Do you like the song "Jingle Bell Rock?" If you do, who do you prefer to hear sing it? Bobby Helms, Brenda Lee, Mean Girls, Stephanie Smith, Chubby Checker, Billy Gilman, Brian Setzer, Hilary Duff, Thousand Foot Krutch (I am not making this up), oh, there are so many more! I am currently partial to my friend Marco.

1.  As on who has had to deal with depression and "recession" in my emotional life, I have developed lots of ways to deal with this disease.  Drugs is one--but most of all it has been having people I can call or have lunch with, or email when I am low.  They are the ones who send me silly, irreverent or ribald emails and pictures.  We generally don't talk about my problems, we talk about anything that can keep our interest. 

2.  I love classical music, especially the great choral works.  The Mozart, Faure or Deutches requiems can fill my soul.  I sometimes sing along since I know much of those compositions from singing them.  I can sing the alto part of the  Halleluia Chorus by heart.  There are a couple of alto licks that I have forgotten, but hey....

3.  At the moment we have an 8-9 week old kitten in the house.  She is so cute and absolutely terrorizes our 9 yr old tom who has become rather grumpy.  He is not a morning cat, but little bit is full of it.  The two of them can raise the spirits of anyone during Advent.  Come on down, Mary Beth!

4.  Usually preparing for Church Christmas helps me with the SAD or the Christmas blues. But since I don't have a parish to prepare for this year I was wondering what I was going to do.  But the parish I am attending needs altos in the choir so I have pitched in for Advent Lessons and Carols which has been fun.  Also, the pastor has asked for help on Christmas Eve so at least will have something to 'suit up' for on Christmas Eve.

5.  This is the first Advent/Christmas that I have entered RESTED since I was ordained.  Hmmmm.  I have not had the usual dumpiness that I usually have.  Part of this is because I have had more light since moving South.  I have also been working with young adults at the University chaplaincy which is uplifting because they are so full of hope.

BONUS:  I LOATH Jingle Bell Rock!!! It is like fingernails on the chalkboard.  I don't like it by anyone.  I hated it when Brenda Lee brought it out when I was young and I still hate it still.  And when I hear it, it gets into my head and I can't get rid of it.  Dang it! Mary Beth, I am gong to be hearing it in my brain all day.  Guess I am going to have to get out my Messiah disks!  Happy Advent, all!