Thursday, December 19, 2013

Christmas Thoughts


See these two pictures?


Dec. 19


 

Dec. 1
Same plant. 

Same place in the house.

Different day.

Our poinsettia has a shedding problem.

I believe it may be normal for poinsettias to shed a bit.

But I think ours has taken it a bit too far.


It's sorta sad to see really.  I have thought about taking bets on the number of red leaves that will still remain by Christmas Day, 6 days away.

But back to the sorta sad idea.  And yep, perhaps it is, but then I read this FB post from a friend last night, and I was reminded yet again what is way more important - way sadder...for ultimately, with all due respect to my plant-loving, tree-hugging friends out there, it is only a plant.

Sobering thoughts as we enter the holiday season...It is important to remember that not everyone is surrounded by large wonderful families. Some of us have problems during the holidays and sometimes are overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. And, many people have no one to spend these times with and are besieged by loneliness.
 
 
I know what it is like to feel that sort of loneliness throughout the holidays.  My children all know it, too.  Ya don't go through our particular sort of divorce history and not know loneliness - that sense of being left out - that feeling that the holidays really aren't that special but are instead a reminder that you're different in a not-so-good way, your family's different, and the reminder is even sharper when juxtaposed against the cool kids' families or the movies - all of those places where we compare our holiday experience with other people's, and we come up short.
 
I also know what it is to feel loss, although I must admit, I have thankfully never experienced loss so close to the holidays, which is even that much more intense.  Despite the fact that both of my parents lived into their 80's, so a good, long time, I still miss them during the holidays.  I know I can't make peanut brittle as well as my mother did - which, yea, that reminds me, I haven't posted those pics yet.  I will do so tomorrow.
 
So because of both of those things, I try to be cognizant of others who may not have a place or people where they feel special, where they can feel welcome and like they belong and might just have a little bit of fun.  It's part of why we are having an open house again this Christmas Eve.  I'm not saying that we are the funnest people on the planet, but we hope we can make folks feel welcomed, share a smile or two over a cookie, let each individual know that they belong in this "family" at least for this year.
 
For I have also learned that this year's holiday will not define EVERY year's holiday.  My kids and I know about holidays that are hard, but we also know about holidays that are bright and fun and happy and well, merry.  And I tend to believe that the holidays are brighter and funner and happier and yes, merrier, in part because of the difficult years.  We appreciate it more perhaps.  I'm not saying, "Be glad you are going through a tough holiday!"  That would be cruel and heartless, but I am saying that old idea..."This too shall pass.  Remember what you are feeling now, but do your dead-level best not to let it make you bitter.  Because bitterness will ruin every holiday.  Instead as much as you can, embrace openness to new hope, new relationships, and the idea that this holiday does not mean ALL holidays will feel like this."
 
That's all.  So even if there isn't a single red leaf on our poinsettia this year, I know how much I have to be thankful for and celebrate - the hope we have in a Certain Baby's birth so long ago.
 
With all of the sensitivity I can express in typed words, here is hoping you have a Merry Christmas, wherever you are in life this season.
 
Love,
Deb

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