The December Spirit

© puckillustrations

Whether your beliefs have you celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday this time of year I want to wish you all the happiest and healthiest of holidays. I've always been a big fan of December's holiday spirit and as the year winds down, I've found myself thinking about 2015.

It certainly wasn't the easiest year, but loaded with special moments, memories and plenty to be grateful for. There were so many times when my friends and readers came through with guidance, feedback and support. Modifying the Beatles lyrics, "I get by with a LOT of help from my friends!"
 
I want to share my favorite holiday message of 2015. I manage the blog for the Friendship Centers whose main office is here in Sarasota. The author, "Craig" is married to Erin McLeod, the president and CEO. I love the way he described his life with Erin and the image he used of the two of them. As I read it, I felt like Christopher Robin was going to appear any minute. Craig isn't a professional writer, but he should be!

So, enjoy Craig's message and I'll add my own.

Wishing all of you happy holidays one more time. Take the time to hug those people special to you. Don't hold back from reminding them how important they are in your life. Enjoy the weekend and give yourself a big pat on the back - another year has passed and along the way you worked hard, grew your skill set and have a lot to be proud of. It's time to relax and get ready for a whole new year with new challenges, but even better, new milestones to celebrate.

​Happy Holidays!

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Not at the beginning mind you, but fairly early along the path did the Blue Jay and the Mole cross. Quite by coincidence really, and certainly out of the ordinary as that’s not normally a pair you’d assume to be friends.
 
     Walking in the forest can be unpredictable. Sometimes you just cross paths, at just the right time, with someone you’re not looking for. And if you happen to say the proper things like “My, isn’t it a lovely day” or “I quite fancy your ugly hat” or “I do,” you both can get lost, obliviously, in that lovely fog of connectedness that ever so rarely reaches the forest floor. The next thing you both know you are QUITE far down the path. Farther than you’ve ever been. So you look both ways; backwards….been there….forward…..yes, doesn’t look totally scary. “I’ll go there with you.”

     And so you walk. Together, hand in hand. And time stands still, or so it seems. You make “traveling companions” on your walk, those who started at the same time or love the same parts of the forest that you do. You make a family, or, in this case, Mole Jays (Blue Moles just didn’t sound right). And although you wouldn’t think a Mole Jay could fly away, one day they do. But you keep 
walking because there is so much yet to do and see.

All of which leads me to this part of the story.
 
After walking for days uncounted, the Jay and the Mole came upon an alpine lake in the early afternoon (of their lives) and decided “this is a good place to rest.” They unpacked their toasted tomato and PB/ham sandwiches (respectively) and sat waterside, enjoying the solitude. Perhaps it was the alpine air, perhaps the clearness of the mountain lake, or perhaps, as years before, they had crossed a path together at the same time; but in the quiet and reflection of the water they saw their lives, and how they had been blessed. Their relationship, their children, their friends, and yes, all right, even you! (you’re so needy!).
And it was all wonderful.  

​The End.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the Mole and the Jay (Craig and Erin)!