It’s an unusual Christmas this year. Yes, it’s cold; there is snow; restaurants are busy; holiday music is everywhere. And at our home, a Christmas tree is still involved. As is eggnog.
But this season, my family in Fargo and my family in upstate New York, as well as Earl and I, are all staying put and cutting back. There are fewer gifts. No out-of-town guests. No vegetarian soups to prepare. No gooey pastries to have on hand. There is only one gift left to wrap and one final trip to the supermarket with three days left to accomplish both.
This past week was filled with special holiday events, but they are winding down; and the next three days are stretching into a quiet zone where I hope to appreciate the difference between this Christmas and our usual more lively one.
We all live in places that are difficult to get to, especially in winter. No matter what transportation we use – car, train, plane – it’s still subject to weather’s whims. Besides it’s been a hard year for everyone, and maybe we all just want to chill out.
Still, I’m thinking of floating the idea that we recreate the 2024 Christmas in June when the days are long and warm. And snow is just a four-letter word instead of a reality. I’m willing to leave the tree up until then if the others sign on.
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