Friday, December 11, 2020…10:59am
The end of week 39. Two weeks to Christmas and the usual joy seems somewhat elusive.
It’s not so much that I am missing the busy-ness of a typical December. I am actually relishing the relative quiet and slower pace that have accompanied a socially distanced December. But I am missing the people that a typical December would hold and I think that is directly tied to my low joy levels.
I’ve been trying to find a gentle sort of joy in my days – a stunning sunrise, giggles from preschoolers in my weekly chapel time with them and belly laughs from my teenagers as they share random videos with each other, lovely scented candles, cozy blankets, Christmas lights, music playing non-stop, the sound of my dog snoring, my husband bringing me coffee in a Santa mug. Small, quiet moments of gentle joy abound when I take the time to notice them.
Two weeks to a Christmas that will be the least people-filled one of my life. I am grieving that, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be joy in the midst of that grief. Gentle joy feels attainable as opposed to aspirational – so gentle joy is my goal and also my wish for all of you.
Be well my friends.
