Celebrating this time of the year...

This timeline may not be particularly accurate, but I believe it’s directionally sound and I’m almost certain we’ll land on something worthwhile — Jól leads to Yule, which leads to Yuletide, which finds its way to Christmastide; then Christmas, which finds its way to a massive year end commercial celebration we call, “The Holidays”. Rooted in the winter solstice, Jól marked the shortest day of the year and celebrated each day onward getting longer, making way to summer. Something that, when life was hard, was worth celebrating.

And we have been celebrating ever since.

Childhood memories of the smell of the Christmas tree, my grandmother’s perfectly wrapped gifts, turkey and my mother’s desserts keep the ghosts of Christmas past at bay and make this my favourite time of year. I still like to have a nicely decorated Christmas tree, turkey on the table and spend a slightly obsessive amount of time on wrapping paper. I also enjoy reflecting on what I’m celebrating.

I very much celebrate; the winter solstice*; telling my daughter I’ve yet again made her the perfect stocking; the wonderful circle of friends I am blessed with; my health; the generosity and kindness of the community I live in, and that the world is still full of wonder and possibility. In the spirt of this celebration, I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday with family and friends, and if you find yourself alone or in the dark, remember we’ve all been there, you aren’t alone, and the days are getting longer.

Light and love.

iamgpe

*It’s because I’m part Viking and I have the phenotypic marker to prove it.