I am writing this post from my father's house. I'm sitting on my bed with a bottle of cheap white wine, enjoying the buzz. NOT from the wine - but from the peak of the Holiday Season, from the gift of spending Christmas with my Dad this week, my Mom last week, and with Sweet Cheeks for the whole month of December.
Seriously, thank you to the powers that be, for granting me this glorious leave of absence from work. An entire month!! Free from the stress of commuting, free from thinking about airplanes, free from bitching about my job to strangers (I really hate when I catch myself doing that). I will miss the tiny paycheck, but the time with my loved ones is priceless. I am truly, humbly, eternally grateful for this gift.
Tonight, my dad, his friend Kelli, and Kelli's brother Scott all attended a Christmas Eve service. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been to church, but I managed to enter the building without getting struck by lightning. The highlight for me was the end, where we all sang "Silent Night" by candlelight. I sang the harmony part I remembered from Choir in college. As the verses went on, the piano accompanist played softer - until the last verse all you could hear is just the choir of voices. It was beyond beautiful.
Before I drift off to sleep tonight, I will continue what is my yearly ritual of not only reflection and gratitude, but I will take the time to walk outside and just...... listen. Be aware. Feel.
What I love about Christmas Eve is the ENERGY. Hear me out, I promise it's not just the wine talking here. Please..... I know that by the time I finish this post, most of you will have sugarplum fairies dancing in your heads..... but next year, do this. Walk outside, and just ...... feel. Feel the energy of the whole world thinking about TOMORROW. Feel the energy of millions of children across the globe joyfully anticipating what might greet them in the morning. Feel the excitement, worry, (maybe even dread, if in-laws are expected!) of countless people planning Christmas get-togethers tomorrow. Feel the energy of travel, of family drama, of excitement, even of sadness. Even people who don't celebrate Christmas are still thinking about Christmas - let's face it, most places are closed on Christmas. Also you can't turn on the tv or the radio without being reminded that it's Christmas!
This night practically hums with energy. I love it!!!
In fact, Christmas night also has energy, but it's more mellow. It's more reflective. It's the beginning of the end of the holiday season. It's the first few moments of groggy wakefulness after falling under the spell of Christmas merriment. By New Year's Day, it will be back-to-life, back-to-reality for the world. Back to the every day stressors that cause us to bitch to strangers about problems that seem overwhelming to us.
But for tonight? The energy is at its apex. There is joyful anticipation. There are memories to be made tomorrow. There are loved ones to hug and gifts to share. There is food to devour. There is the gift of being together. There is the gift of hope. There is the gift of life.
Walk outside with me tonight. Truth be told? I'm still looking for Santa Claus - I still believe in magic.
I wish every one of you the merriest of Christmases. For those of you who are away from the ones you love, remember that Christmas is a spirit, not a day. If you can't be at home on Christmas, celebrate when you get home.
Peace, love, and MAGIC for 2012.
