Hi Everyone!

I am writing this on Dec. 21st so happy solstice  if you read this today. 

I, for one, am looking forward to the days gradually getting longer again. No matter how old I get, I am always humored by the fact that in November/December I think it is bedtime at 6:00 pm. My body is much wiser than I am. It wants to follow the rhythm of the sun.

Well, if it is Solstice, that means it is only a few short days until Christmas. Even in the best of times,  Christmas brings it’s share of hopes, expectations, dread, memories, and every possible emotion imaginable to the western psyche. There are merry makers, holiday dreaders, and the “bah humbug” chanters everywhere we look. It is a lot of pressure for one holiday. This year, with Christmas approaching and Covid looming over, every emotion people experience this time of year is on steroids. 

 I was looking at a FB post of a long time friend who had set up a miniature Christmas village in his home. A family tradition. He commented that setting up and enjoying the  Christmasvillage was “ A retreat to remember simpler times.” I loved that sentiment. It reminded me that holidays should be a retreat. A time to rest and recharge. A holiday should look and feel different than other days. A holiday should be a retreat created for our benefit and of value even in troubling times. 

So, let’s “ Have ourselves a merry little Christmas” . These are the simpler times. The times where we pop popcorn and watch Elf or The Grinch. The times were we make gingerbread houses, write Christmas cards, or turn up the carols and sing along. A time to make hot chocolate and drive around looking at Christmas lights. It’s a time to honor those we hold close in our hearts but are no longer with us. It’s a time to count our blessings, tell people we love them, and find a way to spread joy to others. 

Around the Kelly Condo, I have my advent wreath up along with my favorite Christmas decorations. I have been listening to Christmas music while working on a puzzle and burning a yummy smelling Christmas candle.  I have watched a few Christmas favorites on TV, but what I am really loving right now is re-watching the 1990’s Poirot series with David Suchet, That is something my mom and I both enjoyed watching back in the day. It may not be a Christmas tv series per se, but it conjures up wonderful, nostalgic memories. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here and I do think December 24th and 25th are going to be quite merry, indeed. 

What about you? Are you creating a joyful, and possibly simpler, Christmas season? I would love to hear what you are doing, whether it is baking cookies, watching holiday classics or looking at Christmas lights. After all, this is your time to retreat and recharge. We all deserve it. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by the blog!

Until next time,

Laura