I guess you could say winter has arrived. The temperature has been in the forties. The weather casters are no longer singing the fearful drought refrain. Real rain storms have continued saturating our thirsty land and dumping tons of snow in the mountains. All good for our future water needs. The grey wet days with glistening streets and reflecting rain drops add to the spirit of the holiday season. Christmas is just a few short days away. The weather keeps us indoors with the thermostat turned up, and the darker, shorter days allows for turning on all the colorful Christmas lights. Ambiance is the key to holiday cheer. Instrumental Christmas carols provide background music, while the muted television shows irrelevant football bowl games and myriad college basketball games. Tamales are steaming on the stove. Reminisces are the main subject of conversation and thumbing through old photo albums. Where are the children now? Happily with their own children!
Unfortunately we all can't gather to share our lifetime of experiences. Distance is one culprit. The Covid virus in all its mutations continues to surge and the latest version is more transmissible. It's been nearly two years and the social restrictions, which had eased are now back in place. Isolation is once again in play. So although we have all the external manifestations of a wonderful Christmas, the deadly virus hangs over our collective cheer like Scrooge himself! But the spirit is indomitable and we are secure in our comforting devices, like rum balls, eggnog, chocolate truffles, mint candy, assorted nuts of which we are included, old classic movies we've memorized over the years, and good books when there is a lull. And we can give our time and money, what little we have, where we think it helps. Close to home in most cases, and remembering to extend an open hand of tolerance, to paraphrase a concluding line in one of my favorite movies, The Bishop's Wife!
I don't have many Christmas's left. I won't be dwelling on the usual negativities I have no control over. I'd usually list them here, but I'm sure you know what they are. Anyway in my old age I'm attempting to create a better balance and rid the useless negativity from my battling psychos. On that note I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Here's a few family photos of this year dedicated to our loved ones long gone!
