The days are getting longer. Saturday was the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Over the years, I sometimes get the notion that I can feel the days getting shorter. When I was younger, I never thought of it in terms of light and dark. I was usually to distracted by Christmas.
I still care about Christmas in the abstract, but I’m more focused on the practical things. Days getting longer mean I get to spend less time in the dark. When I’m outside, I don’t have to fear the cold forever. Life will come back in the Spring. Nature’s promise made without words or request.
I mean, I bitch about having to do the lawn, but I’m not miserable when I’m doing it.
I wish I could go back in time and tell myself stuff, important stuff, things I needed to know but nobody would tell me. Christmas was just the thing hiding the better present – a star shining on me and sharing its warmth. The summer is hot, but that heat affirms an abundance of life. Presents are fleeting, often symbols and tokens of other things which are not wonderful.
Presence is more important than presents. Warmth is more important than cold. They are more important because they do not divide and conquer. They are common experiences and equalizers. Joy is to be found there.
Regardless if your December 24th is Christmas Eve or Tuesday or something else, I am grateful you are able to share in this ephemeral token of quiet contentment.
Amusing Nonsense 