It has been a difficult six weeks in our house. The November election was closely followed by my broken finger and Rob's five-week virus. Our various cars were in the shop four times, construction times doubled on our refinished stairs, and work challenges flared intermittently. Friends of ours had crazy vet bills, surgeries, more car trouble, etc. to the extent that all I want for Christmas is rest. In a world of trouble these are but minor irritations, een champagne problems, but they wear on me, sapping a measure of my vitality and optimism.
I'm oddly nostalgic for Christmas during the pandemic year, which was full of neighborhood lights, Christmas cards out my ears, long walks, drives (to see more lights), and family Zooms. Christmas 2024 feels like our whole country has hit the fast forward button again, with shocking headlines (daily), neighbors struggling to get lights on despite our warm weather, low Christmas card inventory, and adult kids coming home to an empty fridge. I don't wish for the return of the pandemic, but just an iota of the time and space it bought us.
I have a head cold and William was sick all night with either food poisoning or a stomach bug, but after work today we can have at least two days to ourselves, sleeping in, attending to cherished family rituals, baking and reading next to the tree. We wish everyone a few days of rest and peace, time to count the blessings that intermix with our list of challenges, and some long walks with space to breathe. Thank you to all those who work on the holiday - I hope you also get time and space to rest and may good health and moments of joy lead the way into 2025 for us all.
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