Christmastide 2013/2014 - Summary

The Christmas season this year was joyous. I found that I didn't get nearly as much done as I would have liked. Much of the joy came in being just fine with that. It was nice. I just really appreciate having some time to slow down and reflect on the past year but also to look with anticipation and without stress what the upcoming year might hold. The only stressful part was singing for two services on Christmas Eve but that worked itself out quite quickly. Christmas Day was peaceful and it was great being able to spend it with Mom and Dale. It think this was the most meaningful part of the holiday for me. The wonder, magic, and anticipation that come with the season never cease to amaze me. Every year I get to relive being a kid again. New year's Eve day at the Swedish Institute with Dale was quite enchanting. Drinking glogg, eating Swedish food, touring that beautiful mansion all decked out for Christmas, seeing the kitchen section of the house opened for the first time, feeling a connection to my Swedish ancestors and also to old Minneapolis was more pure magic. Spending time with Dale there with whom I've spent 21 of my 48 Christmases. That's just about 44% of all my Christmases! I love having a connection with my past and feeling the continuity with the present.