A 1st Quarter Memory

I’m not even sure what it was that sparked this recollection but it’s been kind of floating around most of the day. Possibly because we are just one week away from the traditional Christmas dinner and celebrations which means we are just two weeks away from entering another year.

The memory was about riding in a horse drawn sleigh, tucked underneath a horse blanket…sliding through lots of snow…cold, brisk, fresh air and sunshine…and going to visit some friends. I’m pretty sure it was my Mom driving and some of the words to Jingle Bells seemed to be at play….perhaps we were even singing….

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight

It may have been the winter I turned 5. Today, looking back on at all that has changed in our world since then, I find myself filled with this enormous sense of gratitude that the experiences presented to me were of such simplicity and beauty.

My Dad passed away that next summer which naturally resulted in an impact that would be carried through most of my life. That line is not included here to elicit sympathy. Rather it’s to serve as a reminder that we all receive a certain timeline to walk in this “earth school” and however we undertake that walk, it will unfold “perfectly on time” in a manner suited to each one of us.

Today, a certain element of satisfaction seems to be coming to the forefront as the 4th quarter continues to unfold.

• A deeper understanding and appreciation of what’s taking place in my personal world and the world around me;
• A recognition that perhaps the entire timeline we’ve been given is simply a never-ending continuation of life lessons; and
• By remaining open to new ideas and considerations I get to make choices as to how I respond.

I can truthfully say that many of the choices I made in the first three quarters ran a wild and varied gamut…..from hilarious, to “you’ve got to be kidding”, to “Oh no, I’ve done that AGAIN”, to a list that’s too long to try and capture here. Perhaps the saving grace is that maybe, just maybe, the 4th quarter is showing me how there are new options to consider / questions to ask myself when a choice needs to be made….

The past couple of years have left “this human-suited being”, feeling somewhat isolated and at odds. That’s why it struck me that perhaps a little levity and lightness may be in order this Christmas….

so…from this Snow Angel Crone (with a dirty face),

to you and yours, I’m sending wishes for an entire bucketful of joy, love and laughter all the way through the season and 2023.