Christmastide 2017/2018 - Summary

Friday, January 5, 2018

What a year. I know of so many folks who are so looking forward to letting this year go.  Politically it's been a very unpleasant roller coast ride for me. But when I look at it from the standpoint of my personal life though, it's quite a different story. 

A year ago I was so depressed by what was going on at a national level that I resolved to take care of myself, get active, and focus on family and friendships. I did and overall I'm gonna claim success. I feel my friendships with my handful of close friends have grown deeper and more intimate. I've gotten more politically active through my labor union which has diminished my feelings of powerlessness and elevated my mood.  This past Christmas season has afforded me some time to think about all of this and appreciate where I'm at. For that I'm grateful. Despite all the ugliness in the news Christmas still comes around just the same.  It's hard to put it all away.

I read a book this year titled Old Fashioned Christmas by Ellen Stimson. I've always had a hard time saying goodbye to Christmas when it's all over and Ms. Stimson is one of the few authors of a Christmas themed book that's done a good job of describing what I often go through. She says, "And I really do not like putting away Christmas. I don't want it to end." Of course she goes into much more detail and provides the context of her own experience. For me it's hard to part with it all because it provides a beacon of light and hope during dark December. It's hard to say goodbye to the warm sentiment, time away from work, time with family and friends and time for quiet reflection, the color, spectacle, hope and anticipation, the memories of the past it stirs and helps to keep alive. Ms. Stimson also says, "...part of the secret of keeping Christmas is that Christmas has a time table." And, "Christmas only comes once a year. We all get our measure of Christmas. I have probably already had more Christmases in my past than I will get in the future. Unless I live to be 105, which doesn't seem exactly likely. But that rarity is what makes Christmas special. We have to put it away to keep it." True dat. 

Here's to many more...