Soapbox  December has not been a particularly kind month. The year, for that matter, has not been one of great ease. Normally I look forward to the holidays with enough wide-eyed wonder to put my children to shame. I've always loved the magic of this season, and no matter how difficult a year has been, my spirits always rise to the occasion. This year is different, however. There has been a very distinct shortage of magic. The year left me feeling I'd been buffeted from one crisis to another. The month of December is truthfully a blur of ill children, a failed furnace, bitter cold, and a battle to maintain an income when all I wanted to do was wave a white flag. Thanksgiving seems a lifetime ago, yet the end of year is days away. While it wasn't a Christmas season out of Dickens, there was Spirit involved. - I stumbled upon a heating service provider that fixed my furnace but showed such kindness I'm reminded the season is about the Family of Man, rather than one's immediate family. (I highly recommend Royal Flush for anyone in Massachusetts who ever needs help)
- My girlfriend Julie, who juggles her own family and work schedule, still made the time to deliver wood, two dinners and an invitation to join her family for Christmas Eve. She reminded me that no matter how barren things feel, there is always warmth to be found by reaching out.
- My ex-husband, who has no reason to give me the time of day, made sure two sick children were warm when I couldn't, worked with the heating tech when I had had enough, and delivered groceries for my family's holiday meal. I'm reminded that in this season of all times, more is accomplished by letting go of bitterness to work for a common good.
- My sister Sheila, as she always does, gave me something to hold onto. She called every day so I could talk, laugh or just cry. She reminded me no amount of hardship surpasses the love of family.
- For the second year, an anonymous benefactor left very generous gifts at my door on Christmas Eve. I don't know who it is, but they've reminded me both of the power of a single selfless act, as well as the voracity of gratitude. I send my heartfelt thanks to whoever has remembered my kids and I.
While I can't say this has been a very enjoyable year, it has had meaning. No matter how drained I am right now, there is always the promise of a new year. Its an open-ended invitation to turn this year's battle scars into wings. I like the magic of that. Blessings,
Catie Copyright 2005 WomanLinks.com About the Author : Catie Hayes is founder/editor of WomanLinks.com; a community of support, spirituality, growth and empowerment for women. She is a freelance writer, the single homeschooling mom of two, and an avid fan of laughter, spontaneous dancing, cats and chocolate (not necessarily in that order). |
