Dear Santa,
Kathryn here…
It is five days since Christmas Day and here in the Midwest the snow is getting a bit dingy. At my house, the small tree looks a little more forlorn for lack of presents at the base. The leftovers have been eaten and the company has departed. The music that hung in the air is silent. A few items remain out of place, but the house is quiet once again. The frenetic energy that bounced off the walls in the days before and surrounding Christmas, is slowly dissipating.
Although I am the first to admit that I enjoy seeing and hearing from people I haven’t visited with in a while, as the big day draws near, I find myself seeking a time-out. It is all a bit too much—the sounds, the colors, the over-the-top cheer, the rich foods, the ridiculous parking at the stores. There are so many expectations, so many things I should be doing. Because of those, the holidays are stressful for me and that is not what they are supposed to be about.
That is why the days from the 26th to the 30th are my favorite. The expectations of what I should do a
re gone. (Can you tell that I am a bit rebellious when it comes to the “shoulds” in my life? I imagine it puts me on your Naughty List now and then.) But during the days between Christmas and New Years, the time is suspended. Reflection on the year that has gone by and hope for the year to come slowly seep into my senses like a subtle, fragrant scented candle.
There is a settling inside me. I am full…
Of a quiet joy…(Matthew 1:23)
A quiet peace…(Romans 8:35, 37-39)
And there is HOPE.
This time of year reminds me of a blank page…one that is waiting, expectant, for a new story to be written upon it. I even become a bit giddy with the prospect.
Santa…I have a request. 2016 has been rough for so many. For those that are grieving or suffering, my wish is that 2017 brings a new hope, a new light, and a renewed resilience. A new beginning…
Can we make that their gift in the coming year? And can they get it early? January 1st perhaps?
Sincerely,
That was so nice. I am hoping for year of birth. I am expecting my first grandchild. My family has lost someone each year for the past few years and now we are adding.
Hi Debra,
So nice of you to stop by. You will find that being a grandmother is so much fun! (All the fun and less of the responsibility!) Congratulations and I hope all goes easily with the birth. (Can you tell that I am an old Labor & Delivery nurse?) All the best for this next year for you and yours!
Have a wonderful 2017
Thank you Janine! You too! I hope you are making a few plans that will be fun for you!
Happy New Year! I am looking forward to a kinder year.
Hi Estella,
Thank you for stopping by today! I like that hope! The world needs more kindness!
Dear Kathryn,
I liked very much your letter for Santa. Your requests are my requests too.
Happy New Year!
Hi Rita!
Thank you! I’m so glad you took time out of your day to come by!
Kathryn, that’s such a lovely post. I, too, am very hopeful about starting a new year. I love seeing the calendar clean and fresh. So many wonderful possibilities await. I know that there will challenges that test me but with God’s help I’ll find the strength to handle them. With five books coming out in 2017 I hope it doesn’t pass in a blur. I want to savor this time and not waste a single second. I never make New Year’s resolutions because I’ve found that a waste of energy. I never keep them. The only thing I want to do is be kind and treat each person with respect and dignity.
Wishing you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thank you Linda! I hope that you find a chance to savor the time ahead too. Five books sounds like a lot! And writing them is only half the work. There is the marketing too. I am a bit calendar crazy, so the blank calendar speaks to me of possibilities too. 🙂 My favorite ones are the Mary Englebreit calendars which always have a positive quote with each month.
Thank you for stopping by!
I am the same way – I love it when the expectations of the “should do” are gone! I feel so relaxed and energetic. Here’s to a wonderful empty page of 2017 that we can make fabulous. I wish you all the best blessings God can give and the ability to see them in every moment.
Hi Susan!
What a beautiful wish! Thank you!
Kathryn, that is just lovely. I wish for those same things, and you voiced my feelings, too–much better than I could have. I’m going to try to do better in 2017 to quit beating myself over the head about all the things I should do or should have done. I wish you the very best in 2017!
Thank you Cheryl! It is so nice to have you stop by and visit! I do hate the “shoulds.” I tend to dig my heels in when I am overwhelmed with them. Yes! Do not beat yourself over the head about the shoulds. Be kind to yourself!!
Here in western nebraska we had no snow for christmas. We did have heavy rain, thunder and hail and then a cold blast which dipped temps from 49 to 29 in 30 minutes christmas night. Crazy weather this year. Hoping the New Year bring much better weather and peace to here and the world.
Hi Kim,
Thank you for stopping by and visiting! That IS crazy weather! Hasn’t it been strange for the past couple of years? It seems so to me. I’m curious if this is to be the “new normal” in weather–which means it is always crazy… I’m with you–I hope that 2017 is better! A year without floods, tornadoes, droughts and fires. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
I love your post, Kathryn. Just the right thoughts, just the right words.
Hugs, Melanie and thank you!
Thank you for your lovely post, and a very Happy New Year!
Thank you for stopping by Eliza. I have enjoyed getting to know you this year through your comments.
When the children were little, I really enjoyed the weeks leading up to Christmas. It was fun decorating and baking, and seeing how excited they were. Now that they are grown and have their own families, I have gotten busy with too many volunteer duties and the holidays always seem to be busiest. There is more pressure to get things done and ready but the enjoyment and excitement that children bring to it are not there. This year December was a disaster. There was (and still is) a serious health issue, a death of a dear friend, commitments that overlapped and some that had to be done while dealing with the health issue. We didn’t even celebrate Christmas. All the families can make it New Years Day, so that is when we will do Christmas. I haven’t wrapped gifts and don’t even know if I have all the gifts I need. The house is a disaster and I am not even sure if I will be able to have it ready for the sunday get together. I hope I don’t jinx things, but January 2017 has to be better.
Have a Great New Year.
Hugs, Patricia. You have had a very rough year. I will be thinking of you tomorrow when your family arrive. It sounds like you could do with a month to relax and re-energize. A season of healing. I hope that January brings that for you.
The year wasn’t bad. December just decided to be ornery.
Thanks for the hugs, they always help.
Have a Great 2017.
Your blog was so inspirational. It reminded me that I, too, love the time between Christmas and New Years. I’m sending hugs to you and wishing you the very best for 2017.
Thank you Anne! Best wishes for you in the New Year also.