Tis the day after Thanksgiving and all through the house, no one is stirring, not even to reheat leftovers… The holiday itself is ended, but the replete calm of time together is in full swing. Chess, books, old movies, and time to just talk is my favorite part of this holiday…week. (until the next week in a month or so) We take five full days to just enjoy the company of each other. I love this time of year.
Of course, no family gathering would be complete without something getting broken. This year the pull switch for the kitchen light and the toilet handle in the main bath needed to be replaced, hence a trip out into the madness was necessary. Thankfully, the Ace is not the prime destination for most Black Friday shoppers and was survivable.
The challenge now is to hold tight to every moment and not let the craziness of the season overcome us. Sadly, this time of year, which should be about being together has become a time of about spending and having, and push & shove has become more pronounced than the love that the season boasts.
I want to have faith, but find that more and more the sweet portrayal of what the holiday is supposed to be about exists more on commercials than in life. There are still too many without a warm place to sleep or food for their belly. There are too many who jump to fight instead of lend a hand to someone in need. I would love for this to change.  For us, it already has.
Our season is not about things anymore. It is about a warm meal and family together, no matter how long, no matter how far. Time is the season now. We spend every spare minute we can appreciating that we have those moments and planning to spend more. Every year at this time we take those things we no longer need and take them to the shelter for someone else to give them a use, and stay to serve a meal. It is time we get to be together, and we get to pay forward the blessings we have been given.
I hope that as we count down to the end of the year holidays, Yule and Christmas…that you find a way to give beyond what your money can spend, to those beyond your circle. You’ll be glad you did.
Abyrne