This time of year we all wish, or pretend, that life resembles a Hallmark holiday movie. But alas, life is seldom tied so neatly in a pretty happy ending bow.

The holidays do bring out the best in people ... generous hearts, helping hands and wishing strangers Merry Christmas. We seem to pause a little longer to watch snow falling or smile at the sight of a child sitting on Santa’s lap. Christmas songs on the radio and houses decorated in twinkling lights also bring a smile.

What I wish is that we could and would remember this feeling of good will toward our fellow man and practice kindness in March and June and September, every day of every month.

An often copied quote, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind,” is so very true. This time of year can be exceptionally challenging for so many for hundreds of reasons.

The best gift you can give is a smile to a stranger and extending a bit of grace to those who might need a little touch of Christmas hope. Be kind. Always.

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Bebe Fletcher didn’t attend her senior prom decades ago but this year at age 95 she was the belle of the ball at Brookdale’s Senior Prom. She was a vision in a beautiful red dress on the arm of fellow Brookdale resident, Robert Pogue, 88. Looking dapper, Robert wore a red tie with his suit.

At the end of the evening, Bebe and Robert were crowned prom queen and king!

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According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the next full moon will occur just after midnight tomorrow night, Dec. 12, at 12:12 a.m. It’s often referred as the “Cold Moon” or “Long Nights Moon.” And the last Friday the 13th of 2019 happens this week.

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It’s just not Christmas without multiple viewings of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I’ve watched it since I was a little girl and never fail to be brought to tears by Harry Bailey’s toast, “to my big brother George, the richest man in town!” So many wonderful messages and quotes in the movie ... “what is it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down,” “every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings,” “no man is a failure who has friends.”

Trivia: there’s a sign on the wall of George Bailey’s office at the Building and Loan that reads, “All that you can take with you is that which you’ve given away.”

‘Tis the season.

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Things to Do Highlights: Thursday, Hospice of North Idaho’s Tree Lighting and Evening of Remembrance starts at 5:30 p.m.

Traditions of Christmas 2019 opens Friday at the Kroc Center and runs weekends through Dec. 23. Info: www.traditionsofchristmasnw.com.

Saturday, Wreaths Across America ceremony with Manual Schneidmiller American Legion Post 154 at 9 a.m. in Rathdrum at Pinegrove Cemetery. Also at 9 a.m. Wreaths Across America at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.

Winter Market with Kootenai County Farmers Market at the Jacklin Building / Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Free parking and admission.

Christmas Parade in Spirit Lake on Maine Street, 5 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Sing-a-Long with Santa and Mudgy at the Coeur d’Alene Library, Saturday 11 a.m. to noon.

Ladies Holiday Tea at the Post Falls Library on Saturday from 1-3 p.m., ages 16+, wear your fancy dress and hat, live music and games. Free to the public.

The Coeur d’Alene Big Band holds a Christmas Tea Dance on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Club on Sherman Avenue.

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Happy Birthday today to Christina Petit, Kathy Hughes, Duncan Menzies, Stephanie Hunter, Michael Matt, Katrina Mayer, Kym Hamby, Shawn Gunn, Leigh Sales and Aleta English. On the 12th day of the 12th month Margot Mitchell, Alexis Davis, Sialas Tripp, Mary Sanderson, Amy Alderman, John Austin, Mary Finley, Teresa Capone, Mark Orlowski, Konrad Hochhalter, Monte Miller, Richard Stevenette, Colleen Williams, Dave Sayers, Lynn Knapp and Jessica White blow out the candles.

Lucky Friday the 13th birthdays to Catherine Jacobson (94!), Jim Freeman, Austin Lee, Kim Buer and Denise Higgs. On Saturday Eve Knudtsen, Kyle Siegert, Angie Hatch, Jeannette Conroy, Sybil McCormack, Sandy Clemons, Amber Briles, John Medlock, Vicki Peoples, Karen Kastning, Tammy VanBrunt and James Forster enjoy a frosty birthday.

On Sunday Nellie Armstrong, Kerri Wilfong, Susan Schneidmiller, Cat Troy, Jann Kinnard, Brenda Young, Janelle Stimson, Anne Marie Toothaker, Travis Gardner and Austin Wuest are taking another trip around the sun. Happy Monday birthdays to Marci Clark, Pam Pereira, Mimi Eismann, Lori Dawson, Harmony Taylor, Dot Neirinckx and Tim Kastning (60!). On Tuesday Holly Kincaid, Lori Stanea, Dick Halliday and Cheyenne Peugh celebrate a jingle bell birthday.

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“When it seems that we have lost our way ... we find ourselves again on Christmas Day. If you just believe.”

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.