Ringing in the New Year

When the winter months breach our warm comfort zone of fall, I find myself reminiscing over the last eleven months. Bad came with good and long exhausting hours behind a monitor paid off. The Scrooge in me tried several times to surface, but I fed him Christmas cookies sated his desire. Speaking of the famous Mr. Scrooge: Would you disagree Christmas puts a twinkle in the most cynical of people? I don’t.

Ice encrusted window shields and slick staircases might change your mood for a few minutes, but it can’t ruin the day. Just as the days start colder, the streets icier with paper-thin sheets of frozen water to trip up the most cautious driver; we continue to strive for jubilation in the end. Expected whiteouts, blackouts, or the occasional blizzard to halt time itself should blacken our outlook between fall and spring, but none of that overshadows a few shining weeks clearly in the middle of it all. Its when miniature clouds of fluffy white joy begin to fall signaling us to put on one last bash before the new year arrives. Party hats get replaced with reindeer antlers; stolen kisses are permitted under the mistletoe and holiday cheer.

Sparkling images of our past glimmer through rear windows in our minds with a familiarity we sometimes neglect to reflect on, as the year progresses towards its inevitable end. The release of soft snowflakes drifting to the ground brings memories of loved ones toward the forefront of a person’s unconscious thought like blossoms on a spring day to brighten spirits. You could say they come on crystallize wings of a wintery Christmas.

This is one time during the year bridges become mended to bring people together; albeit, with bubblegum and scotch tape. As long as it all holds together until the big day.

Cozy fireplaces blaze to ward off cold winter nights, cities string up multicolored lights and garland to set the stage, stores decorate display windows to complete what can only be described as magical. There isn’t any way someone can walk through a decorated downtown and not feel their state of mind being uplifted – an elated release of emotions involuntarily harbored deep down finding an escape. Christmas does that to people, Scrooge or not.

Staring at a Christmas tree decked out with all the trimmings nestled in a corner, alight with a childish glow of yesteryear, brings out the inner adolescent in us all. Miracles seem possible. Childhood fantasies become real if for only a single night, and dreams take flight.

Don’t lose that feeling because the season comes to an end. Take it into the next year and the ones to follow. With that said – a Merry Christmas to you and yours! 

My glass is held high for an eventful 2014 – cheers! 
Believe, Create, Live.