Dear December,
I have been dreading your visit. I admit but now that you are here,
I will make friends and remember that years and years ago I lived
for you. When I turn the calendar my stomach falls in my shoes.
I don't think you have changed, I think it is me.
When did my lists become longer than War and Peace? When
did I decide that running for 24 days was a good sport to be involved in?
I got mad at myself this morning because you see, the other previous
11 months I enjoy turning the calendar and greeting a new friend filled
with lots of glorious gifts.
Not December.
My attitude I find I have more in common with the Grinch
and Scrooge than George and Mary in "It's a Wonderful Life."
So December, I will change since the only people we can ever change
are our own attitudes. I will open my Bible, " I will not grow weary
in doing good."
I will, December--- stop, sit by the fire, drink tea, and dream of all
of the ways you have blessed my life. How most of December when
I sit back and take the time I have enjoyed you.
I will watch the sun rise and the sun set and I will be glad that
I have been given the gift of one more December and lots of
of gifts I have received are not under a tree but in my heart.
Welcome December, I am glad you are here.
Your friend,
Kim
23 comments:
I think alot more people are doing what your doing...I am for sure...My motto is what doesn't get done I will not stress over it...I am sitting and reading the Bible and realizing what is and what isn' important anymore and I feel healing with in... What a Blessing that is.
Have a wonderful day...Lisa
i can completely understand your feeling. bring on january! :)
I love December but I think it's very important to take time to be still. I hope it works for you.
I admire the honesty of your post and sympathize.
December can be a harsh month but on reflection we recall that God is ever faithful! The joy of the Lord is our strength!
Blessings
Christine
It is so easy to feel "Grinchy" this time of year. We put so much pressure on ourselves to get ready for what "should" be a wonderful, family-filled celebration of a birth. Somehow it has morphed into a stressful spending frenzy where nothing we do seems to be good enough. We are crazy!! I hope you sit by the fire, drink tea and enjoy your family all month long.
I'm sorry that Dec. is bringing you stress :( But yeah for you and your determination to try to turn that around, May this month be filled with breathing room for you, little moments to take deep breaths, count three blessings, sit for a spell on the couch under a warm blankie, read a couple verses in Psalms. Be still, my friend. January's coming :)
December represents so many things. It is the final page of this years ledger. It is a time for reckoning, but also a time for remembering. A time to plan, a time to learn. A time to meditate on all the Lord has provided for us.
I kinda have a love hate relationship with December. It's my favorite holiday...Christmas. The celebration of the birth of Christ. I hate the winter weather that comes with it. 'Just sayin'......
May God bless your day sweetie!!! :o)
I'm going to try to do Advent candles this year, if I can find some of the right color. I found a nice list of the scripture readings online. :-)
Kim, that was so beautifully written. And contains advice that many of us should take note of. Thank you for sharing this!
Yay December! I was very excited to turn our calendar. I'm super excited for Christmas! :D
I miss November. She didn't stay around long enough!
Made me stop and think, for sure!
Kim, I'm sorry that December has got you down and I hope that we can cheer you up.
I actually love December because I no longer have to slave in the yard and weed and cut and trim and harvest. I kind of like that the snow wants to cover the dead leaves and dead grass. I kind of like the fresh fallen snow and I like seeing the birds feeding at the feeder. I marvel at how they can keep warm when it's cold and the snow is flying. It's a wonder.
I love how the snow sparkle like diamonds in the sun, I like how the smoke rises up in the cold air atop the houses. I like how I can see my foot print in the snow and I love when the snow is just right to make snowmen in the yard or when the snow crunches under my feet.
I even like shoveling snow and cleaning my hooked rugs in the snow.
I like the timeless beauty of fresh fallen snow in the trees, and seeing my breath in the air.
I like how bright the night is when the sky is clear under a full moon and a blanket of snow covers the ground. I like the crackling of the fire in the stove and the smell of fresh baked cookies. I like seeing the children playing in the snow and the rows of mittens drying and the rosy cheeks.
I love the Christmas Carols, sending and receiving Christmas cards, the hot chocolate drink while the kids help me decorate the tree. I love the expression on the faces of the grandkids on Christmas day when they come to open their gifts at Mamoo.
I love the grownup kids returning home with their little ones for Christmas and phone calls from those who are far away across the ocean. I love the decorations, and family gathering and visitors. I love the Christmas eve mass with all the Christmas hymns and the kids ringing the bells in the church and the nativity pageant at the church
I like little traditions like setting up the Nativity with baby Jesus kept hidden until Christmas morning, the homemade gifts from the children wrapped in hand decorated paper, I like traditions like Broken Glass Torte deserts for Christmas dinner that my kids insist on, fruitcakes, meat pies, Turkey dinner and cranberry cookies and shortbread and other cherished recipes, nuts, making puzzle on Boxing day all night with the girls until it's finished while being allowed only to have a sip of wine when we can fit a dark piece that all looks the same color.
I love the generosity of people for the less fortunate in the community especially at this time of year.
I love the Christmas parties with old friends. Christmas stockings hanging. I don't like the shopping frenzy and the over stocked shops and all the hideous toys and commercialization of Jesus' birthday. I wonder why December was chosen for Jesus' birthday.
December is always such a busy month as there's so much preparation and so much packed into each day and it vanishes in an instant to makes room for colder months.
I kind of got carried away with this and I think that I could have made a blog post with this. I hope that you start to feel better soon.
December hugs. JB
Well... it's December and we don't have any snow on the ground but the promise is in the season. JB
Now that's the perfect attitude!
This is my favorite time of year- special memories from long ago and recent. All about family...times spent together. Thanks for sharing.
December has always been a hard month for me too. It's the time of year when my father died and it's also my birthday month. So, I have always tried to take extra care with me during the season. It's hard when you go out and about and get caught up in the crazy shopping frenzy that goes on during this season. But, my favorite times are visiting with a good friend, having yummy holiday cookies with my family, enjoying a special drink by the fire with my husband, plus, the music, the lights, and faith! I actually think the spending is the piece that doesn't fit!
I wish we could sit down for a cup of tea together!! Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog this week!
Hugs!
True! True! December is just beginning and we won't be rushed, will we? We WILL be quiet. I remember thinking, "If I don't stop and sit on the couch for a while, no one will be able to crawl up into my lap. I must sit more."
Let's be the sitters.
December really did sneak up on me this year! Usually I have all my decorations up by now and this year I haven't even pulled the boxes out yet. (coming in today) I have BIG plans for this year....simple, simple, simple....family, outings, and church....simple, simple, simple....I am really hoping this works out...sigh. There is always soo much pressure (totally self inflicted) for the perfect "Hallmark" Christmas, and it just has to stop. I'll let you know how that works out, lol. Have a wonderful week-end! HUGS
Awh, Kim, this reminds me of when I wrote Dearest Autumn back in September. I absolutely LOVE this.
I know how you feel. I have come to love and enjoy October and November so much more than December. This is what expectation does to us at times--weighs us down. We know that people "expect" certain things of us and it is like a rope around our neck; however, a couple of years ago I decided to do away with those expectations (still working on one--my mother), and just do as God's Spirit leads.
He has led for me to do away with the huge list and enjoy each day of this month doing what I love. SO, now I shop for those under my roof (husband and two young adult children), I bake for neighbors and parents and I mail handmade cards to everyone else. So simple that last year I caught myself singing while baking.
Here's a tip: If you bake, pray while you bake. I tried it one year and you should have seen the reactions I got from a simple banana bread wrapped in a pretty kitchen towel. Of course, no one knew the secret ingredient. ;)
I wish you nothing but childlike joy this December. In the meantime, come visit any time you want to vent. ;)
Beautifully written Kim, You are such a blessing. I pray this finds you well of that nasty cold.
Love,
Sue
OH1 I forgot to tell you how pretty your blog design is, I love it!
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