Merry Christmas!
Last year, I paraphrased columnist Connie Schultz. “May the season lie lightly on your heart.” For one reason or another, and I don’t know why, this holiday season is not easy for a number of my friends this year. It may be that we’re aging, and we’re separated from family members. It may be that this year’s cold and snow are keeping people apart, but, I’m afraid people had this feeling before this week’s weather. I’m sorry.
I’ve been away from my Mom and sisters more Christmases than I’ve been with them because I’ve lived in other states, Florida, Arizona, Indiana. But, just because I’m able to be content with my cat and books doesn’t mean everyone can. And, I know how fortunate I am to have family. People are dealing with problems that I don’t know.
I can’t do anything to solve those seasonal sorrows or feelings. I do hope you drop my Lesa’s Book Critiques once in a while just to be taken away from your own feelings, to discover a book or a friend who comments on a book, something that will help you escape.
All I can do is hold out a hand. My email is Lesa.Holstine@gmail.com. Naturally, I’m not online all the time, and this time of year, I’m lucky to have extra time for books. But, I can read your concerns, and respond, if you choose to share.
Please reach out to someone if this season is not lying lightly on your heart.
If you are enjoying the joy of the season, the comfort of books and family, Merry Christmas!
Good morning Lesa, and a happy Christmas to you.
Thank you for this beautiful message; I agree, Christmas is difficult for many people. We are fortunate to have our youngest daughter madeleine, our son Freddie and his wife Naomi with us here in a damp (not snowy!) Edinburgh. Our middle daughter Anna will join us later.
Poor Charlie đ¸ has been traumatised by the arrival of our sonâs spaniel. Charlie has now taken up residence in our bedroom and I think heâll stay there till 29th. He is one unhappy feline đž.
I donât know if people will have heard of the British writer and comedian Sarah Millican? She hosts an international #joinin on Twitter every Christmas Day – all day:
âanyone who wants some company on Christmas Day, remember #JoinIn will be taking place on here. Whether youâre alone and wish you werenât or with people but lonely, we will be here to chat toâŚ. You can join in and chat any time as we have people taking part from all over the world! Simply use #JoinIn in your tweets or search the hashtag to join in âşď¸ #TEAMSMâ
Itâs hugely popular and sheâs a very good person, so I thought Iâd just mention it. Her Twitter name is @SarahMillican75.
And lesa I just want to thank you again for your invaluable Thursday meet ups. They are a real joy, I feel like I now know many wonderful people through our weekly chats, and I look forward to âseeingâ whoever joins in every week. As well as the book chat, itâs fascinating to me to learn about all our different lives.
I hope everyone has a peaceful day.
Rosemary
Thank you, Rosemary, and Happy Christmas.
Thank you so much for sharing #JoinIn. I just checked it out so I can share it on Facebook. I know some friends who could use it. I can’t make anyone stop by, but Sarah Millican is doing something so wonderful.
Thursdays were Jeff Meyerson’s idea originally. Like you, I enjoy them, and I appreciate what everyone who participates and talks books or family or weather. It is such a comfort on Thursdays.
I’m sorry about Charlie. He hasn’t had an easy year. I hope 2023 is better for you, your family, and Charlie.
Thank you for the message, Lesa. My son and I are lucky to be able to join my other son and his family after breakfast just 10 minutes away from here. The hardest part will be loading up the car with the food I’m bringing and the bags of gifts! May all of you have a lovely day, regardless of what you choose to do. Take time for yourself and enjoy! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Margie! I hope you had a wonderful morning, and enjoy some “me” time eventually.
Merry Christmas Lesa! What a lovely message you shared.
Merry Christmas, Sharon! Thank you! I know this day and the season isn’t easy for everyone.
Merry Christmas, Lesa! I am grateful to you for not only creating a lovely place to talk about books, but also such a warm, caring community of people. We will be celebrating tomorrow, when our granddaughter arrives. We will all be together, including the granddog and grandcat who are still trying to get along. Merry Christmas to everyone and all the best going forward.
Thank you, Jennifer. If this is a warm, caring community, some of it is because I admire what Connie Schultz has done on her own page, created a place for caring conversation.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lesa and Merry Christmas to you.
Merry Christmas, MM!
Nice, Lesa. Of course, we don’t celebrate Christmas anyway, but we are happy to stay in until the weather eases later in the week. We have enough food and watched our favorite British TV shows’ Christmas specials last night, and will watch MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS and LOVE ACTUALLY tonight.
Stay safe out there and enjoy the holiday.
Thank you, Jeff! You stay safe as well. I hadn’t watched the weather to see flooding in some of NYC. I hope you and Jackie are okay. Sending hugs!
Two fabulous films there Jeff! Enjoy!
Merry Christmas, Lesa Here is some Christmas music from Ireland for you and all our friends!
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/irish-blessings-songs-christmas?utm_campaign=IC%20Daily%20-%20Dec%2025%20-%202022-12-25&utm_medium=Email&_hsmi=239320998&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-96vjhJfI750xtwF-hMCgNN2y8X3DF87vgWdRz68-U5P3GxvnXRFBF5h2nE55k-5EJ0Bvv8TaGLo0aUTbuDLZ7OjVTJqw&utm_content=Story1&utm_source=HubSpot
Merry Christmas, Carolee! Thank you!
Merry Christmas, Lesa. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and concern for those with problems at this season. We are having a lovely quiet Christmas with just enough food and movies, and hope that your day has been nice too.
Thank you, Tracy. I had a wonderful Christmas. As you said, it was just enough.
Merry Christmas, Lesa. I’ve been lucky and have always been able to spend Christmas with my family. I realize that’s not always possible for everyone. Wishing you and everyone the best in the coming year!
Thank you, Carol. I think it means a great deal to spend Christmas with the people you love. I wish you the same, the best in the coming year!
I loved what you said here, Lesa! We did have a nice Christmas, though we were not with extended family. Our kids came from Austin and we enjoyed a quiet meal with them, just the 4 of us. We talked with other parts of the family and hope to be able to host them at our house next year. It seems my awful reading slump is coming to an end and I’m feeling more like my normal self in that regard. Hoping 2023 is good for all of us in so many ways!!
Thank you, Kay! I hope 2023 is much better for all of us – healthwise, and whatever is going on in people’s lives. Good to know your reading slump is coming to an end!