November first, for me at least, starts the Christmas Season. That doesn't mean decorations go up, but it means I get to mentally prepare for Thanksgiving (which I love more and more) and Christmas (which I love the most), and all the excitement and coziness that goes with both.
This year, however, November 1st sort of popped up, as I'm sure it did with the rest of you, and it has now dawned on me that I haven't been relishing in the first Christmas commercials and decorations in Stop&Shop. I think this isn't just due to how crazy things have been lately, but because of the significance of them all. Whilst sipping tea and talking with Clare last night about her going back to Brooklyn and St. Agnes, and all that entails, and the planning I need to do for Kenya, I finally FINALLY realized just how much is going on in our family right now. I mean not just the obvious things. Clare was in the hospital and I am going to Kenya but also, Annie and Frank moved in and then are moving out and are having their third baby, Martha is itching for a baby of her own (hear that, Chad?), Catherine is getting MARRIED, lest we forget, Aloise is graduating college, Mary and Cyrus' families both just had their third babies, and the Captain has finally retired and is home with Ma for good.
Of course with the size of our family it is expected to have so much activity, but not really. I don't think anyone has begun to fully process what happened last month or why it happened or what we're supposed to be taking from it, but I do think there is some significance to it all happening during this season. What a wonderful time to reflect and be surrounded with family. While I still plan on diving right into Burl Ives and sugar cookies as soon as Thanksgiving passes, I'm also so looking forward to a peaceful December to pray and meditate over all that is happening and all that is good. And also to thank God, so so much, for what He has given us.
My goals for the next month and a half are to do the above, way more often than I do now, and to really celebrate the season. Which means good meals and discussions, and gratitude upon gratitude for the Lord and all of our family and friends who prayed so hard for us. How humbled and lucky are we.
How about everyone else?
7 comments:
I know we've all been pondering the mysteries of these last few months because that's what they've been, mostly un-precendented happenings that none of us could have or would have predicted come end of summer. Uncle Michael sent an email to Dad some weeks ago with a suggestion for thanksgiving for the miracle of Clare's recovery. I have a task to do before that suggestion is passed around - to everyone who prayed for Clare - and time is a wastin'.
Lisette; you are so correct; the events of these past months, family growth, change and otherwise, cannot be passed off as merely every day occurrences. There is definitely something to ponder here and so so so much to be thankful for.
We need to thank God for giving us - not only as a family, but each in our own particular circumstances - what has been an opportunity to put ourselves and our lives in His hands; an opportunity to have to put our trust in Him. These are the circumstances He uses to draw us closer; these are His most precious gifts.
And then we need to thank God for all of it.
Humility is hard. We have certainly been afforded a time to practice that virtue; I think the honest person would admit that he never quite does it as well as he should. I know I don't.
Your post has hit upon something profound and not to be taken lightly. It's definitely time to step back and do some real praying, some real soul-searching.
Lisette: your Christmas spirit has grown to new maturity without having lost it's joyful innocence. I envy you that.
And I am really going to miss you.
PS - let's not forget Jim and Rob: their commitment to learning about the Faith and becoming Catholics is one of the highlights of this Season.
I am going to miss you.
On a daily basis I feel removed from my family. It is not always pronounced, but it's there. Lately it has weighed heavier. I am so grateful to be able to visit when so many of you will also be at or around the homestead. I need to experience you all. I think about maggie and how little she knows you all. She knows faces and names, but it makes me sad that she has no real connection to any ANY of you.
Lisette, I think about how you say you want to celebrate the season with good food, and good conversation...and I just wish I had access to that. I'm really looking forward to surrounding myself with you all for a little while. And I am thankful for that among all the other profound things you have already mentioned.
Lisette, that is beautiful, thanks. Mom and I are working on a day of thanksgiving for Clares recovery (and a lot else besides). I favor Dec. 8th (the Immaculate Conception) as we will all be going to Mass that day. More to follow.
Lisette, you are a beautiful person. Loved this post and all it stands for. And I also want to say that I think you are a beautiful writer, the way you put words down and so honestly express your feelings(like mom,maybe?)
Our family just had a talk at dinner the other night about this very thing...Clare has affected the boys in so many ways,each differently for their ages, as I've told her, but the talk was about the true meaning of the season as well.
Nora, your feelings are natural, similar to Cy andhis family, and probably what Cat felt those years in CO. We ALL want to be close in location, but life doesn't comply as we want it all the time. So we treasure the visits and posts, for that I am greatful for this blog.
I am 36 and have lived alot of years in this family as an adult, watching everyone under me grow up.
Amazing to see all the changes, and the most that stands out is our love for each other as a unit! This is sure to be the most blessed Christmas season we have experienced yet.
P.S. so glad we don't have to worry..."Will Dad be home?"
Amen to that, Mojo! Even if I won't be there for Christmas, I'm so happy Dad will be from now on.
Norm, your comment made me sad. Very excited for you to come for Thanksgiving! I so hope you guys can move here soon.
And Jim and Rob! See, there's so much going on that when you sit to write them down you can't even remember them all.
Lisette, you are a love.
And we are all truly blessed. What a season this will be.
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