Every year as we barrel down the highway of jobs ,families, kids and politics we allow ourselves to stop at a rest area known as the Christmas Season. When we exit the main line of everyday life we enter a place that is a mare’s nest…a muddle. Suddenly we are in a place with few straight roads…a place of redemption, loss, nostalgia, maudlin sentimentality and pure joy. This landscape is not entered in your GPS and nothing is on a clear, understandable grid. We will enter many dead ends and a few cul de sacs as we travel to a New Year.
We are at once oppressed and elated by memory. Early Christmasses are recalled, bathed in the gentle sepia toning of memory. We remember the cowboy outfit and the Barbie Doll of years gone by and this pleasant recollection immediately leads to a remembrance of what has been lost. The missing parents and friends come to the table to sip our nog. We are poised to be kind in the spirit of the season and greed comes to the table. We can have a Joyuex Noel or a Blue Christmas and these states are entered on a moment -to-moment basis.
Even Santa doesn’t escape the conflicted feelings. is the Old Fat Man actually Father Christmas or the guy who keeps the naughty list? Will it be a special gift or a piece of coal? We listen to conflicting voices from Madison Avenue to Marley’s Ghost. Things get pretty confusing.
it is good to remember that this is a season for reflection. We have given ourselves a license to slow down and let life and its many ups and downs to wash over us without too much judgement. Suicides go up and many babies are born. Clearly, the Christmas Season is not everyday life. During the Yule days we are allowed to be joyful and to grieve as we see fit.
We are soon going to re- enter life’s highway via the onramp that is signed as “New Year’s Resolutions”. We will leave the amazing season of emotion and memory and resolve to lose weight , or find a new job or partner. But, for now we get to reflect and perhaps wallow in the feelings that we don’t have time for the rest of the year.
That is special.
So,steep yourself in the rituals and traditions , go for an egg nog and sing those carols …this is a special season.
Happy Holidays!
Olio Folio 