Gratitude for the Holidays...

eschaden
12 minutes ago
2 min read

We are moving full steam towards Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday of the year) and then Christmas is just around the corner. I am so excited. I love everything about the holidays. The smells, the food, all the twinkling lights, the way my home feels when it is decorated, the beautifully wrapped packages, the nights in front of the fire, the cozy feel of just about every single night. There is magic in the air, I think it is likely here all year long, but we just miss it because our focus wanders elsewhere.

I have always loved the holidays. Making cookies, making holiday foods, decorating pretzels with the kids, the traditions, the gatherings. It is just a lovely time of year. I love the parties and all the festive things we do. Also, it seems as though we tend to be nicer to each other and I am all in favor of that! Kind of silly that we only get the Holiday cheer, during this time of the year, but in this current social/political climate, I will take any kindness I can get.

I would be remiss not to mention that it is not an easy time for everyone. Even as much as I love it, the pain of my solitary status lands harder this time of year. For others, it is an unkind remembrance of past hurts, disappointments, injuries and losses. I try to allow my happiness and good cheer to envelope others while being mindful that not everyone experiences the holidays the same way (and for good reason).

Regardless, I love this time of year, despite the cold and the large swath of darkness, I am learning to embrace the dark and the light as they both serve a purpose. And the holidays are definitely a good example of light within darkness.

Again, still...