Midlife’s A Trip

Christmas Dinner–A Bittersweet Meal

Posted on 26. Dec, 2007 by Karen.

I had Christmas dinner with a very special family.  It was their first Christmas without their adored Leah– wife, mother, daughter, cousin, daughter-in-law and friend.  Leah died of cancer in May.  She was only 41 years old and left her dear husband, Stephan and beautiful 3 year old son Zion behind. 

A host of family and friends gathered to share Christmas dinner with Stephan and Zion.  There was great food, laughter and good cheer.  But there was also the pall of sadness as Stephan led grace and made note of Leah’s absence.  Of course we all felt it and Stephan’s sadness.  It made me especially grateful for my family who are still with me.

As we circled around this special family at this bittersweet dinner and celebrated the birth of Christ and the passing of Leah, I too remembered loved ones who are gone–Dad, Grandma, Aunt Mary, Uncle Willie, Uncle Scotty and Margaret.  And as we celebrate this holiday season, know that you are always in my heart.  

Merry Christmas to you.  Merry Christmas to everyone. 

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Deck the Halls, No Joy in Your World

Posted on 10. Dec, 2007 by Karen.

As the holiday season is upon us, does it feel like it’s really upon you–like a 500 lb Santa?  Are you stretched thin on time and energy?  I talked with my friend Catherine today who told me that she isn’t decorating for Christmas this year.  Now Catherine is a feng shui consultant.  She focuses on the energy in her space.  And what she is feeling is that she doesn’t need all the holiday stuff to get in the spirit of the season.

I’ve thought about my conversation with Catherine all day.  I haven’t put up my holiday decorations yet.  Why?  I just haven’t felt like it.  Not that I’m sad or not in the spirit.  But for starters, I just haven’t felt like dragging my pre-lit tree up from the basement.  It’s just a 6 1/2 foot tree but it might as well be 12 feet tall when you haul it up the stairs.  Then there’s setting up the tree.  If you could see me shaping every branch just so, both you and I would need a strong cup of some kind of holiday cheer. 

Most years I love decorating for Christmas.  This year, like Catherine, it’s just not where I want to expend my energy.  So I am giving myself permission not to put up a tree this year.  Oh I’ll still decorate my fireplace mantel and put touches of Christmas around my house.  But I’ll save my energy, both internal and external for what’s really important–spending time with family and friends. 

Is decking the halls squeezing the joy out of your world this holiday season?  Create a new tradition of putting lights on your ficus tree and save your energy for what matters.

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