Wishing everyone a warm and happy holiday from my native North Carolina. Normally I try to keep this blog to art/craft and inspiration related to those things, but this is a special time of year for me, and I always like to reflect on the year gone by. I have thought a lot in the past few days about the significance of this season, about tradition, about the importance of cherishing time spent with loved ones, be it friends or family or in some cases both, and simply being grateful for everything that we have. 2010 was a rough year for many folks I know, but there was a lot of good that came out of it. I am always inspired by the ability of people to take something bad and turn it around into something good - something from which to draw experience and strength, something to inspire them to make good happen. I've watched it happen over and over again this year and I am so grateful for all the good that came to me in my dark times this year.
Winter is not known for being a bright season, but this year it is filled with brightness in my eyes. I no longer live close to my family and so I cherish my time with them like I never did before. Tonight I listened to my grandmother tell stories and was overcome by the urge to record them (something which I am now planning to do) - she always wanted to write a book but perhaps we'll have to do it for her. After dinner I went for a Christmas Eve walk around my old neighborhood. The air was crisp and smelled like woodsmoke and the neighborhood was quiet and filled with lights and I found myself wondering how anyone could not like this time of year. I ran into some old family friends on my walk, took a few photos, and went on my way. As I sit by the Christmas tree, I feel content and grateful. And ready to face a new year.
Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it, and a happy holiday and happy new year too.