Snow, accompanied by below freezing temperatures, tends to put one in a holiday mood. While I no longer celebrate Christmas, I am not a scrooge. I celebrate the Winter Solstice, as was done in ancient times. This has worked out well now that I have grown children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It allows for us to celebrate the solstice together and provides them more space in which to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah with their own children and in-laws. I always look forward to Winter Solstice since it promises to me, that spring will return. The sun will change direction and slowly move towards summer once again.
This is a busy time of year and although I have come to appreciate the importance of living in the moment, I find the occasional busy-ness to be a good distraction from the bitter cold. This year, I have added projects to complete, as I am moving the week of Christmas. I do not recommend ever moving during the middle of winter; however, this is what is, this year. I accept it. Fortunately, I am moving only a mile, so even bad weather should not hamper things too much. I was hoping and planning to move to an area near the sea, where the climate is milder and the growing season lasts nearly all year. My plans will be delayed now because my youngest daughter is deploying to Afghanistan and has asked me to live in her home and care for her cats until she returns next February. It is not my choice to stay here through many more months of cold and snow, nor am I happy that my daughter is deploying to such a formidable area, but I know that it is more important that I help her. I have learned to ask each morning in prayer, not for that which I believe will make me happy, but to ask how I may serve.
My posts may be short over the next couple of weeks as I dive into another moving adventure and the rearranging of my home life. I have committed; however, to faithfully writing every day (except for holidays and weekends) and I have done so for nearly four months now. Meanwhile, stay warm, and to enhance your holiday mood, may I offer you a virtual cup of apple cider or cocoa on this frigid day?
