Musings | Thoughts on this holiday season
I have been unwinding all day. “The Gorge,” the movie, is just one of my takeaways from today. Earlier I watched the movie and was pleasantly surprised to find that it has become my current favorite romance movie. It was oh so sweet, mysterious, and jammed full of action. It seriously met all of my desires – as did this holiday season.
Last night we held our family Christmas party. We included knit, winter, Santa-inspired hats for each person who arrived, as well as a little jingle bell you could wear around your neck. I didn’t know how everyone was going to enjoy the hats, so I had some trepidation about them. Needless to say, I didn’t have to worry.
At one point, I looked around the room and noted that everyone – every single guest, had put their hat on without being told! Something about that moment, and the spontaneous caroling started by nieces and one of their nephews sealed a core memory into my heart. I decided ultimately, the planning and prep for a get together is absolutely 100% worth it every time.
My heart is full.
Christmas in the past has sometimes been very lonely for me. I spent many a year away from family, while serving in the armed forces, and living out of state. Many without even having too many friends nearby either. Now that I am officially back in the area – for the last 12 years at least, I am taking advantage of the closeness of my family in the area.
I know there may be a day when this comes to an end, as others venture out into the world – as I did, but I am going to do my best to maintain relationships with my family and close friends for as long as they will let me. I suppose that comes from realizing just how much I missed over the years, and how much I don’t want to ever experience that kind of holiday loneliness again.
I always start the holiday season early. I decorate early, the Christmas music starts playing on Thanksgiving day, and I generally just allow my self to focus on the joy of the season. I have many a memory of holidays waiting in the drive thru at Starbucks only to have the person in front of me purchase my coffee drink for me. Christmas always brings out something special, goodwill, and all that, throughout the early winter months.
New Year’s is right around the corner of course, but I don’t usually get too ramped up about it. I don’t believe in having resolutions, although I firmly believe in – having started it for the first time this year, vision boards. I really do think there is something to having something visual in front of your face every day with your goals and dreams on it. My New Year’s night, however, is often spent reflecting on the past year, rather than focusing on the upcoming year.
Anyway, today I ate too many Christmas cookies, and left overs from the holidays, while enjoying movies and just vegged out with little plans ahead of me. I am grateful, that while it feels like a Sunday, it is only a Saturday, and I still have one more day to unwind properly before getting back to work.
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