The most wonderful time of the year?

I’ve written several drafts of this one and can’t seem to get it right. This is an interesting time of year. Wonderful for many, painful for some, stressful for all.

I sometimes like to lay under the tree and look up.

I’ve mentioned in previous entries how I’m generally one of those who loves Christmas and enjoys the ‘magic’ of the season. It’s the best thing about the darkest time of year. And I firmly believe that the reason so many different religious holidays fall around this time is that it’s a natural and human impulse to gather together and light some candles when it’s dark and cold out.

I’ve always enjoyed decorating. I enjoy shopping for gifts and wrapping them. I do think that part of the stress of this time of year has to do with how caught up we get in our gift giving. Dean and I didn’t do gifts for each other this year, there were just too many other expenses to deal with. As much as I missed shopping for him, it did take some of the stress out of the season this year.

Even if you don’t celebrate at all, it’s likely you’re employed or involved in society in some way and have things to do to wrap up the end of the year. We all have to deal with the fact that society is basically going to take a holiday for the last couple weeks of the year, whether you get to take one or not. Cramming in doctors appointments to meed the deductible, cramming in last minute events to meet a corporate-imposed quota, etc. It all adds up.

Dean and I didn’t have any holiday parties to go to this year. I realized this about halfway through and there was a bit of disappointment, but I also realize I hadn’t been struggling to maintain a healthy diet as much as when the space between Thanksgiving and Christmas is crammed with festivities. (I still wouldn’t have argued with one party.)

The season was shorter this year due to Thanksgiving being so late. I missed that extra week. I feel like it was difficult to get ‘revved up’ into the spirit of the season so quickly. For some, maybe it was a blessing. I realize that this season can be especially difficult for those who have experienced loss. I wonder if it’s harder if you had really loved the season prior to… I imagine it must be.

I’m fortunate this year. I have been texting and calling back and forth with my parents planning our coming visit home. Discussing all of our traditional and non-traditional items that we’re going to cook and when. Last minute things to pick up. Dean and I spent last night packing and coordinating schedules for leaving town after work. Today will be hectic, but exciting. I woke up looking forward to the day.

I read a post from a friend this week who lost her father. She said that she concentrates on trying to create new, happy traditions for her family around this time of year, even as she remembers him. I thought that was beautiful. It has to be difficult to have someone missing when everyone is gathering together, but just about everyone still has someone to gather with, however far away.

A solstice bayou sunset from times gone by.

Today I’m going to wrap things up as best I can from an incredibly stressful month at work and try to leave it behind. I will pack the car as best I can and if I forget something, it won’t be the end of the world. Then my little family of two humans and a cat will road trip to loved ones. During the next few days, we’ll create some new memories, reminisce about some Christmases past and call those who can’t be with us if we can, think about them fondly if we can’t.

Tomorrow is the darkest day of the year. The last darkest day of the decade. I hope that you’re able to spend it creating light and love in whatever way you want and need. Try to leave behind the things that don’t really matter, relax, maybe bake some cookies and enjoy those you’re with.