Epiphany

Well it is all said and done.  We are through with the anticipation, patience, hope, and revelation of the advent season.  Yesterday was 3 kings day so even the wise men have shown up and gone.  Presents were purchased, exchanged and opened.  In theory all the holiday decorations should be coming down.  I’ll get to it eventually.  We can throw in a new year’s celebration and pretty much we are now on a fast track to spring break & Easter.  Summer and the annual season of Pride celebrations is literally just around the corner.

I just want to stop for a minute though, well several minutes and breathe.  Did you get to relax and spend time just being with your loved ones?  I hope you did. We had a few quiet family days here.  We taught the boys to play canasta and they seemed to enjoy that, although Paul much prefers the game “bullshit” he learned from his high school buddies. I think that may be in large part because he thinks it gives him freedom to cuss in front of his parents.

We saw some movies; Catching Fire, Saving Mr. Banks, and the boys saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  Is there a name for movies based on a book or story that bear so little in common with the actual work it is based on that you wonder if anyone ever read the book? No? There should be. 

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?  I tend to avoid them, although I will say that last year I made a commitment to work out, and I made it almost through the year with that.  I also resolved not to punch anyone in the face in 2013 and I managed to accomplish that, although the last few weeks of December were touch and go. 

What am I resolved to do in 2014?  I am not sure yet.  2013 I seemed to be very focused on my body, 2012 my focus was on my family and the changes we were experiencing in Colorado.  2011? All about my career.  So I think 2014’s resolutions will be about my soul.  Yes, despite rumors to the contrary I do have one.  I just wonder if I forget to take care of it sometimes.  So this year I am going to make time to breathe, and I am going to think about my soul and remember what Walt Whitman said “Whatever satisfies the soul is truth.”

Savoring the Season

Clearly I shorted everyone 2 days of blogging this year.  I shorted everyone a day last year, but Kat keeps reminding me about it.  I admit that I have been putting off finishing this year because I am trying to hang on to this season as long as I can.  Technically I think I have until January 6^th right?  That is epiphany the day the wise men showed up with their gifts.  I think as long as I get my Christmas gifts and cards sent off by then I am ok right?

What am I holding on to the season for?  It just seems like it went so fast this year.  I know I was preoccupied in early December with work, but even after the DM retreat was over it just seemed like the time flew by.  I hate that really.  I want my life to be quiet(ish) and focused on my family and decorating my home and baking cookies and seeing friends all the time.

 

I mentioned on FB that this year we had a last minute surprise hay ride at our party.  Our new friends Jerry and JC apparently do holiday hayrides every year.  They have a flatbed trailer, (I think for hauling hay for their horses) and they did it all up with lights and hay bales to sit on, and speakers for holiday music.  They showed up to our party on their way home from another party and drove us and our party guests, mostly Paul and Matthew’s guests at that point, through the neighborhood.  There was snow and everything.  It was pretty special.

The next evening Jerry and JC had their own party and invited us.  It was really a very special evening.  They have a nice home and friends who clearly care a lot about them.  They even arranged for Santa to show up and give gifts to all the children.  I know, I know, I am pretty vocal on the whole Santa thing.  But I tend to forget that when children do believe, it can be so sweet and so special when they see Santa like that.  Not the mall Santa, but a Santa that shows up and gives them a gift and a hug.

The hayride was like that, it was special, and surprising and sweet, to be out in the cold, with my family, listening to holiday music and laughing and looking at lights and even singing along.  So that is what I am trying to hold on to.  Even though Christmas is over and it is time to pack everything up and go back to the routine.  Maybe that is what my new year’s resolution should be?