Hello, December,
You snuck up on me, just like every year. One moment it's Thanksgiving, with too much delicious food and not quite enough time with family, but as soon as I finish washing the Thanksgiving china and vacuuming the crumbs from under the table, I turn around and you are knocking at the door. Your stress-filled days of Christmas shopping, crowds, cleaning, decorating, attending work parties when I'd rather stay home and knit just wear me out. You've given me too many instances in which I desperately miss my far-away sons, and then have to pretend that I'm not sad so I don't spend our video chat time with tears in my eyes, making all of us sadder. Thoughts of what lies ahead when you whisper that this is most likely the last Christmas for several ill family members are almost too much to bear.
But ... you've also got some warm moments in your cold days. An empathetic, understanding, and pragmatic oncologist that I love and just want to hug (and I might even do that tomorrow). Cookie Day with all the women in my family is a real highlight. Enjoying the fact that Ryan is becoming a creative cook, who is able to use his chemistry and math backgrounds to come up with a delicious new quiche that I am taking to John's boss' party. Appreciating that Justin is an incredibly responsible and forward-looking young man, working long and hard towards a permanent position so he doesn't have to be an intern forever.
December, your gift of Christmas is what usually comes to my mind first when I think of you, but this year you are presenting me with something I will appreciate even more - your solstice. That day with the fewest hours of daylight reminds me that yes, there is plenty of darkness, but minute by minute, more light is returning with every new day.
So hello December, with your good and bad, light and dark, happiness and sadness, but always love.
Yours in warmth,
Bonny
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I love your take on December. Especially that last part. xo
ReplyDeleteBonny - your post has me teary this morning. Because I'm kind of right there with you this December. Good and bad, light and dark, happiness and sadness. But ALWAYS full of love. XO
ReplyDeleteAnd in the darkness are all these amazing lights - and you shine so brightly Bonny! Thank you for sharing. XO
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post - love that sheep picture!
ReplyDeleteI agree, December is an awkward month at times; happy and sad, warm and cold, family and self, sneaky and quick.
ReplyDeleteYour writing is wonderful, thanks for the moments.
Well, that's just perfect. The last third of the year -- but especially December -- has been difficult the past six or seven years. Hello LOVE! Perfect.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I would be so very interested in Ryan's quiche recipe if he's interested in sharing. ;)
What a beautiful description of December-and yes, love is what gets us through. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post. I agree, I would rather skip the hubbub and stay home knitting.
ReplyDeleteThis is very lovely.
ReplyDeleteMay the love and knitting always outweigh the not so great.
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful and lovely sentiment! Thanks for sharing this. I love the solstice, and I look forward to it every year. Thanks for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteI think your last sentence sums it up perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI can't even type as my tears fall in commiseration with yours. The dark of winter is so hard to bear, but love always gets us through. Solstice is the happiest day of winter and I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely welcome to the month. In the battle against the dark & bleak - I smiled when the meteorologist said that sunset will be 10 days longer by the end of the month. :)
ReplyDeleteI have that sheep calendar as my office calendar this year - it has been a fun addition to the daily view.
WOW! This blog post blew me away! I only wish I could write this well!
ReplyDeleteLinda in VA
Big hugs this December. May the warmth of joy in others hearts soothe your soul. SOme Christmas times are very tough.....everyone bustling and others in personal pain. I've been there. Peace of the Season to you
ReplyDeletesorry you are missing your boys! I would too. I cannot even think about the Santa Barbara couple without wishing they were closer. I hope you get more chances to be together and that you are swamped with phone calls and video chats during the holiday season.
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