December Joy

I must admit, November was tough. Waking up to the harsh realities about our American political scene and the billionaire bros set to control our immediate future sent me right back to bed. When you add the atrocities raging around the globe I found myself both angry and sad, even dumbfounded, with gratitude out of reach. But as December rolled into being, I smoothed away my distemper and distain and distress by focusing on the small joys which are easy to spot during this month of collective cheer. Follow the strands of colored lights adorning every facade across the town, behold the bejeweled trees from pine to palm lighting up our dark afternoons, why even the ribbons of clouds overhead are a running reminder that December joy is right here in this sheeny now.

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Happy Holidays!

My mother loved family and friends and all things party. She also knew how to love deeply and generously give both her time and her being, so at Christmas she was our sparkling star, our guiding light, the happiest person in any situation. In my home, we are so glad that she still watches over us all.

As my mother would wish, may you be merry and bright and feel all the joy and goodness possible this holiday season!

Radical Joy

There is an abundance of sorrow on this small Earth, of that we might all agree, but there is also, at least here in northern Vermont, the ability to find joy quite easily in May. In the buds and flowers and leaves and warming temps and that fabulous blue sky hovering like sapphires above each and everyone. I am not ignoring the staggering horrors dropping like thick fog, but I am asking that mess to push aside for this day to feel a joy so big it overpowers. This week joy seems to be what lots of people reminded me to feel too: an unfiltered, possibly even a radical joy.

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