Christmas Tree Wondrous Surprise Lessons

Survival of the heart.

Wait till you see her decorated!

I had intended to add to my series The beginning this week; however, my heart has taken over this space to express the emotional struggle I'm facing with the upcoming administration.

This heart of mine is a force. Love her every day.

As I ease into readying for the season, unlike years before, it’s not as easy to keep up the spirit with my doubt about the year(s) ahead here in the US.

And that’s saying a lot because I’m one of the most positive people I know. My proclamation is not meant to be a pat on my back. No, it merely is what I’ve come to understand about myself, both from the reactions of others and also my own observations. Positivity comes easy for me. It always has, even when I couple it with the darkness. And I understand fully the blessing of this fact.

Before leaving the warmth of my covers Wednesday morning, I read several posts from my favorite Substack writers, sharing their fears about the coming administration.

Having traveled much of the last few months, it’s been easy to tune out. But finally, I am home, centered, and ready to let the world in. It isn’t a pleasant homecoming in this respect.

An hour later, at breakfast, not following any discussion train, I ask Rick if he knows the inauguration date. He can’t remember either, but he looks it up: January 20.

A champion of positivity, I sit quietly wondering how I will summon the strength and determination to hold onto what I love, both on that date and for the following four years, and God forbid, perhaps many years after that.

I love a flocked tree. These days, they are not generally available at the tree lots; if they are, one will pay a small fortune. We learned a few years ago that we could flock our tree with a flocking kit for a reasonable amount. We set Wednesday morning aside to work on our tree. I typically spend flocking days on a high.

This day, I find myself needing to take deep breaths. Let’s just say visions of sugar plums are not what are dancing in my head. Instead, I am fighting back tears, visualizing internment camps for immigrants waiting to return to Mexico as just one vision of many.

Midpoint, I find my footing. I reject my fear and let the light shine through and spend the remainder of the day considering the possibility of January 20 as a celebration day.

What might we celebrate? Well, if future generations can learn from this upcoming administration that our freedoms are not to be taken for granted, even when we have already earned them, it will be a triumph. Our rights must always be protected and fought for, as well as continuously monitored. This is a call to action, a reminder of the importance of our collective responsibility.

And like the rising prices of a flocked tree, when one door closes, we must find the window. It will always be there.

The blessings we enjoy, the light that shines upon us, must be used daily, thought about, and appreciated. We must hold on to one another keeping faith that goodness always prevails. And we must remain vigilant to fight for what we believe in.

Sending thanks to

Susan Harley

for her recent post Finding the courage to travel through where she quotes this poetry from Morgan Harper Nichols. Susan often shares just what I need.

Other People will move on without you

there will be people who will move on without you
and people you admired that you no longer look up to
and there will also be gaps in the trees
where the wind blows through and reminds you
no matter the betrayal or the rejection
there is still room in this life
to make meaningful new connections

there is also still room to breathe
letting your heart soften into release
finding that no matter what is changing
you are still free to pursue peace

there is more
there is more

for there will be storm clouds hovering over the flower fields where you were hoping to watch the setting sun

and there will be cities you meant to visit before the world as you knew it came undone

and there will also be moments when you remember the small strip of ocean shore where the sea foam sang to you that morning

there is more

there is more

and in the end you will find
even when you were carrying so much on your shoulders

you were not getting older
you were not just surviving
you were a living breathing soul
slowly redefining what it meant to be thriving

and one day at a time
you are finding the courage
to keep traveling through

people move on, everything changes
and through it all you change too

you've had your fears
you've had your losses
and you have to face
the reality of grief
and you have also
dared to have this hope
everyday you are still becoming
who you are meant to be

there is more

there is more.