My mom always took down our Christmas decorations, you know those crepe paper accordion thingys we made, on the twelfth day of Christmas, which would be on January 5th or 6th. A Tradition. See, we had traditions.
The Twelve Days of Christmas, also called Christmastide and Twelvetide are the festive days beginning Christmas Day and ending on The Twelfth Night. Shakespeare’s play of the same name, along with all kinds of religious and pagan customs associated, but I won’t get into that. Point is, here it is, January 6th, time to take down my Birdie on The Gate and divest The Head of her lovely Christmas lights. Kinda sad.
This Christmas felt like a whole different kind of celebration to me, not sure why. It was like I turned a corner or something. I find I’m trusting myself more, letting go of more things, expectations, my imperfections, my inability to fix the world and to save every last abused animal and child. Maybe what this means is that I’m embarking upon my Last Stroll Down Life’s Highway, Heading For the Last Round-up, Aiming Foot at the Bucket. Or maybe in a roundabout way it has to do with my adventure into blogging. Digging deep into my life and then letting my words fly unedited into cyberspace has been very freeing. And exciting.
Agreed – I think writing is the answer for almost anything!
Yup. It was the putting it out there unedited that really did it for me.
Rossandra, no way are you aiming your foot toward the bucket! These happen to be the best years. You know what they say, Youth is wasted on the young. Well, that’s true. We were insecure then, unsure, but now we know what the world is about and our place in it. Clearly, you’re living your best years and you have so many more to go! So enjoy these years because I know, I am! 😉
That is so sweet of you Monica. I agree with you, actually, I’ve never been healthier and in better shape in a lifetime of staying in shape.
I had the same feeling this season and with the dawning of a new year (you can read about it here http://wp.me/ppYA8-iY). Let’s hope it’s not really your last stroll, last round-up, bucket list as it seems you still have some stories to tell! I wish you success in letting your words fly!
BTW, my grandparents spent 6 months in Zambia and 6 months in Ghana in the early 80’s when my grandfather was with CESO after his retirement. The memory of their post-assignment slides shows is still with me!
That would be Civil Engineers, Architects and Surveyors, yes? How interesting. Was he there to advise? Do you know what towns in Zambia?
And thanks for wishing me well, I couldn’t resist the whole last stroll, etc. I’m off to check what’s happening at Dust Bunny Central.
CESO is Canadian Executive Services Overseas, I believe. And if memory serves me, they lived in Lusaka.
The Capital of Zambia. Thanks for that clarification.
I know what you mean when you say blogging is freeing. I experience it the same way. I started blogging three years ago. It enabled me to find my voice, to get over the trepidation of putting it all out there, and to start a memoir. Well, the memoir is almost finished, as is my query letter, and proposal. I’m am so, so happy I decided to blog.
So you started blogging first, then wrote the memoir? It was the other way around for me. After 19 years of writing, I found myself absolutely blocked when it came to a blog (wrote a blog about it!) It took about eight months of total frustration and inching along. And now I love it!
As Nancy said, blogging is like having a journal with benefits. The writer, the person, the many faces of yourself, get a turn to spin. It does take effort, but everything usually does. Enjoy and welcome.
It truly is like having a journal with benefits. And thanks.
Rossandra, my mom used to leave the Christmas decorations up until January 14. Our Spanish traditions including celebrating the “Octavitas” which means the eight days after Three Kings Day on January 6. Your post reminded me of this time. A time when everyone else’s home was “lightless” and ours was still very much lit up. I loved feeling special; doing something no one else is doing. And as a matter of fact, that’s the creed I live by. So good for you for letting go and taking a breather from the mainstream way of doing things! 🙂
How very interesting. Amazing how different forms of these traditions have continued through the ages. I love how you embraced the lights, instead of making it a negative thing. Yes!!
Rossandra, I like your blog too. Again, thank you for visiting mine. I love the teacup and saucer. I have a pattern for a pin cushion using a tea cup and saucer. It was a wonderful read on traditions.
Thanks so much for the visit. Donna and for the reading tips.