Christmas 2021 brings so many emotions, and the photo above expresses all of them. That’s my sister, Linda’s, dining room table. Is it waiting for guests? Christmas brings the excitement and joy of time with family and friends, gathering together. Historically, the shortest day in the northern hemisphere is over, heading into the light. For Christians, the lights and star on the tree symbolize the light of the world. For many of us, that setting means joy and family and togetherness.
I’ve always loved Christmas and the holidays. I”m not with my family this year, but I’m warm and I have a place to live, cats to cuddle, books to read, food to eat. If you’re reading this post, you are blessed. You have access to the Internet, and the ability to read. Sometimes, we forget those little things because our hearts are broken. Christmas and the holiday season isn’t easy for many people. And, the holidays in 2021 and 2022 may remind you of emptiness and loss, the people who aren’t there this year. I know so many people who lost fathers and husbands and loved ones this year. There may be an empty place at the table, and an emptiness in your heart this year. There are also people who won’t be at that table because they can’t get there. So much has separated us in the last two years.
I’m paraphrasing here. Writer Connie Schultz says, “May the season lie lightly on your heart.” This year, may you be the light and joy in someone’s life. I hope you can find joy and a moment for thankfulness sometime today. It’s not always easy.
Merry Christmas!
Beautifully said, Lesa. Wishing you a peaceful gentle Christmas. ❤️
Thank you, Deb. I hope you have a beautiful holiday season!
Nice. Very nice. Merry Christmas, Lesa, and everyone here.
Merry Christmas, Jeff, to you and Jackie!
Merry Christmas,Lesa and thanks for another year of your book reviews and community of followers.
Thank you, Pat! And, Merry Christmas to you. I hope it’s a gentle one.
To all the friends I’ve made here–have a Merry Christmas and a relaxing, fulfilling day.
What a beautiful message, Margie.I hope you enjoy your time with your family. Merry Christmas!
We are at home and will open the box with fruitcake today and a small box of chocolates. We are having a heat wave in Texas! Have plenty to read and have been listening to Christmas music, Our bird is chewing on his ladder that is made to chew.
Hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and get to snuggle with your cats.
Thank you, Carolee! We’ve already had a little snuggle time. I’m sure there’s more to come. Enjoy your day. It sounds relaxing and beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Celebrated yesterday, but awoke to a White Christmas this morning.
Merry Christmas my fellow readers and a big thank you to Lesa for providing such a wonderful place.
Very nice indeed. Merry Christmas, Lesa, and everyone here, many of whom, beginning with you, are becoming friends, whom I value so much! Have a wonderful day!
What a beautiful post, Lesa. I do feel blessed and very grateful for all I have. I hope you enjoy all your time off, have a wonderful day today and a happy New Year.
Thank you, Everyone! It’s so nice of all of you to stop in on Christmas Day with your greetings and thanks. I’m grateful that I have all of you in my life, and we can chat and talk about books. Thank you for coming here regularly. I’ll “talk” with all of you before the New Year!
Thank you, Lesa! Merry Christmas!!
Beautiful words Lesa, and a very happy Christmas to you and yours.
We are in a damp Edinburgh, but as you say, we have a warm house, plenty of food (even though I have just found out that we left the gammon in the garage in Aberdeenshire…), lots of books, and a very entertaining kitten-cat. We are richly blessed. Our youngest, Madeleine, managed to have a good christmas even though she and her flat mate Dulcie were isolating (they are ‘free’ from tomorrow).
Later on Anna and I will go for a walk. And we will watch the Christmas Celebrity Bake Off, which this year involves the cast of It’s A Sin (Russell T Davies’s excellent TV drama). It should be fun.
I hope you’re having a peaceful time doing exactly what you like!
Thank you, Rosemary! It sounds as if you had a happy Christmas despite a few incidents here and there.
Yes, I’m having a peaceful time. It’s so nice to have a long break this year. I’ve never taken so much time off over the holidays, and the cats and I are enjoying it!
Sending hugs, and hope for a better 2022 for all of us!
Just FYI, it snowed yesterday afternoon and continued through the night, so we have a white Christmas and Boxing Day. Roads are drivable, so that’s fine, but it’s so pretty.
Roads are the primary reason I hate winter, Rick. When I retired, and don’t have to go anyplace, it will be different.
Merry Christmas, dear Lesa. These past two years have been hard and there’s little to indicate that next year will be easier. But as long as we have friends, real or virtual, we can keep on going. I am so glad we are friends.
You’re right, bksrmgc. There is little indication it’s going to get better. Reading and friends are the only reason I keep going because I can then shut out the real world.