The Winter Solstice has passed but today marks the official beginning of winter for the McMurray family. A cold front finally rolled through which means we can at least have the excuse to use our fireplace.
When I was young, Fall meant afternoons were filled with cutting firewood so that when winter came in Tennessee, we could open the door with snow on the ground. My dad knew how to keep a wood burning heater at it maximum potential. As it turns out, the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. We just finished closing the doors trying to get the indoor temperature to at least under 80 degrees. Our neighbors in our cul-de-sac must think we are crazy.
The best thing about this season is having Jess home. Not just having her home, but the nostalgia of the word “HOME”.
When Jess left for college it was difficult. I think I took it harder than Tammy. We had friends excitedly tell us how wonderful it is to be “empty-nesters”. Don’t get me wrong, I forgot what kind of a cool gal I married. Being an empty-nester is a great season to bein. Tammy and I truly enjoy this stage of our lives. . . but there is an even sweeter homecoming when Jess is here.
It brings a deep sense of comfort to hear her footsteps upstairs. We get to laugh and joke more and everything seems to revolve around some kind of event. The term “on the go” just takes a different shape and for different purposes when she is home.
For some, the memories of this time of year can be less than wonderful. I know that everyone can’t have their loved ones under one roof this season. For one reason or twenty reasons, it is growing more and more difficult to have that old fashioned Christmas family gathering. I am truly sorry if you fall into this category. Please believe me, I know what it means to be unable to see family.
Please remember, in all circumstances and situations, you have a choice. We can choose to focus on our loneliness, bitterness, and the negativity. However, we can also choose to seek forgiveness, draw boundaries, and choose to see positive potential.
If it’s been so long that you can’t remember why you’ve not been under one roof, it’s time to push that aside. If you have forgotten, there are other things to remember. If all you do is remember with bitterness, forget it. It is time to choose something that will not produce the loneliness. There comes a point that our lives become the very thing we allow. Take a stand. Stop allowing these things to happen. One of the most powerful things we posses is the power of choice. Exercise it today, and choose to have a merry Christmas.