Finding Peace and Nurturing Hope

I can’t tell you how proud I am of you (and me) this holiday season.

I’m proud that you (and me) stopped and took a moment to ourselves, that we gathered here.

Me, I’ve got a cup of mulled, spiced Wassail beside me, the only light in the room is from the Christmas tree lights and the burning fire. What about you?

Here’s the way my Christmas Eve morning began:

A walk by the creek. Ah.

And my night is ending pretty easy as well.

In between the calm, I had a party here. I had people I love here. We ate, we played games, we sang carols, we even learned to waltz to the Christmas Waltz. Wonderfulness.

It’s a perfect time to abundantly appreciate this holiday season. For us all, even for those who are having a difficult and sad Christmas, there’s still the same focus on the sacredness and love in the holiday.

Yes, it is late Christmas Eve. Almost midnight. Christmas morning will be here in a short while. Santa is well on his way to your house and mine.

Late Christmas Eve has always been a special time for me. I’m usually alone this late,  wrapping presents. (I wrap LATE, yes, I know. It’s the same every year. I don’t like people to guess what I’m giving them. In fact, I always say, “If you guess it, you can’t have it.” So, people will make ridiculous guesses. Like a small box, “Is it luggage?” Or an obvious hard back book, “Could it be a pillow?”)

I just put on my James Taylor Christmas CD.

I usually drink eggnog at this special time on Christmas Eve. But earlier I made a perfect batch of Wassail, with lost of delicious spices, oranges, apples, ginger. Just perfection. Man, I wish I could send you a cup. The aroma is divine. The taste “diviner.”

To me, this is my SLOW Christmas time. I’m not rushed. I’m not anxious. Late Christmas Eve is my time to chill. And I am. Slow heartbeat, deep breaths, enjoying the moment.

I hope since you’re with me that you are chillin’ too.

I interrupt this post to report that Merlin, My Magnificent Soul-Horse, wishes you a wonderful season.

(kiss, kiss, kiss)

Something that never dawned on me until the other day is that the word “holiday” means “holy day.” I looked it up and learned its origin is from the Old English word “hāligdæg.”

This particular Holy Day comes but once every 12 months. One time. It is to be cherished and treasured.

 

 Again, post interrupted to say that the chickens say “Merry Christmas.” 

Life moves on, life changes, life evolves. And I think back on Christmases past, I have had a common theme. I have been on a search for peace and simplicity. I’ve worked every single year to make our Christmas simpler. Actually, I’ve worked every day to make my life simpler.