Small encounters are felt most,
as are spontaneities.
Heightened meaning falling toward you.
Out of the blue.
Unseen design of providence, seemingly happenstance
Shapeless at first.....
inconsequential
unconnected
chance interactions
unless you take time to ponder
Isolated moments which may remain so
if life events are siloed
just a little happening all on it's own
with no meaning
or
illuminated sentience accumulated
to reveal whispers of Guidance with meaning.
Your choice.
This home has been a centre of whirling spontaneities all beneath the veneer of planned events. I'm exhausted, yet feeling a sense of satisfaction and pleasure. Christmas didn't feel like it was on it's way despite trimming the tree, decorating the mantel, listening to the familiar carols, and wrapping presents, reading and contemplating the meaning of the day of Celebration. Normally, one of these activities throws me into the Christmas magic. This year, I went into it wiped out. The spirit of Christmas and my ability to embrace the meaning seemed wilted.
Small encounters and delicious spontaneity arrived just in time.............thank you God.
It started with the Solstice bonfire and potluck out at Keswick Ridge. One would've had a grinch-like heart not to feel the energy of the children, adults included under the umbrella of kiddies.............excited about Christmas, and popping with sparks to experience a nighttime winter adventure. It was palpably the first planned event full of spontaneous small encounters.
Under a beautiful midnight clear and a blanket of stars.
The second event on Saturday night was full of encounters, culminating in a very spontaneous round of carol singing. Our home was filled to the brim with friends of all ages and with some new faces who were visiting our friends for Christmas. Ages ranged from an infant to a couple of Grandmas. Not everyone knew one another....... it was a gathering of people we knew from different components of our lives. And yet, the chatter and openness to get to know one another.........the sharing of personal stories, and the playing of games all fed the feeling that this gathering for some reason seemed more special than others in the past.
As I flitted here and there, serving and orchestrating..........which is what I do best, as does my partner in life...........though he's more visible being the pourer of "spirits" and the background music guy........ I observed many encounters, as well as jumped into a few. What made me feel the most pleased.................dead pleased like the angels :) ............. was to see how comfortable and how relaxed the crowd was.
My home was their home...............
Comfortable enough to be themselves.
Nothing makes me more satisfied.
Before we knew it, a friend picked up a guitar and began playing. Before we knew it, voices of all ages began to sing Christmas Carols. Even the self-concious teenies sang. If we couldn't remember all the verses, one of the Grandmas, a Minister, led the way.
Harmony..........together.........filling the room with Christmas spirit.
No one left before midnight. The last of the crew, carrying their bundled up children said their goodbyes in the wee hours. There was a desire to stay in the moment to savour the feeling.
Heightened meaning falling towards us out of the blue.
Beautiful.
Christmas Eve................dinner at a friend's home. Friends who are as close as family. More quiet than the night before, but no less meaningful. This was the first time we had shared dinner on Christmas Eve together. Usually we aren't in the same town...............spending time with our own families far away........ It meant a lot to all of us.
Yesterday..........Christmas Day.............a morning for just us.......the four of us. Full of surprises and big smiles unwrapping the gifts, of choral music and enjoying the time together. After a big hearty breakfast, I tiptoed down the hallway to a big bed, put my new CD on the stereo........beautiful classical music......... and promptly fell into the deepest worry free sleep. Contentment.
Dinner................ traditional turkey with all the trimmings.....................shared with another family.......our fourth one together. We began by sharing our blessings.........of friends, health, family, special times shared.....everyone having a chance to speak from their heart which focused all of us on the meaning of Christmas Day.
Glad to be together. Glad to share a special day. Heightened meaning......awareness....... felt by all.
Small encounters and delicious spontaneity arrived just in time.............thank you God.
It started with the Solstice bonfire and potluck out at Keswick Ridge. One would've had a grinch-like heart not to feel the energy of the children, adults included under the umbrella of kiddies.............excited about Christmas, and popping with sparks to experience a nighttime winter adventure. It was palpably the first planned event full of spontaneous small encounters.
Under a beautiful midnight clear and a blanket of stars.
The second event on Saturday night was full of encounters, culminating in a very spontaneous round of carol singing. Our home was filled to the brim with friends of all ages and with some new faces who were visiting our friends for Christmas. Ages ranged from an infant to a couple of Grandmas. Not everyone knew one another....... it was a gathering of people we knew from different components of our lives. And yet, the chatter and openness to get to know one another.........the sharing of personal stories, and the playing of games all fed the feeling that this gathering for some reason seemed more special than others in the past.
As I flitted here and there, serving and orchestrating..........which is what I do best, as does my partner in life...........though he's more visible being the pourer of "spirits" and the background music guy........ I observed many encounters, as well as jumped into a few. What made me feel the most pleased.................dead pleased like the angels :) ............. was to see how comfortable and how relaxed the crowd was.
My home was their home...............
Comfortable enough to be themselves.
Nothing makes me more satisfied.
Before we knew it, a friend picked up a guitar and began playing. Before we knew it, voices of all ages began to sing Christmas Carols. Even the self-concious teenies sang. If we couldn't remember all the verses, one of the Grandmas, a Minister, led the way.
Harmony..........together.........filling the room with Christmas spirit.
No one left before midnight. The last of the crew, carrying their bundled up children said their goodbyes in the wee hours. There was a desire to stay in the moment to savour the feeling.
Heightened meaning falling towards us out of the blue.
Beautiful.
Christmas Eve................dinner at a friend's home. Friends who are as close as family. More quiet than the night before, but no less meaningful. This was the first time we had shared dinner on Christmas Eve together. Usually we aren't in the same town...............spending time with our own families far away........ It meant a lot to all of us.
Yesterday..........Christmas Day.............a morning for just us.......the four of us. Full of surprises and big smiles unwrapping the gifts, of choral music and enjoying the time together. After a big hearty breakfast, I tiptoed down the hallway to a big bed, put my new CD on the stereo........beautiful classical music......... and promptly fell into the deepest worry free sleep. Contentment.
Dinner................ traditional turkey with all the trimmings.....................shared with another family.......our fourth one together. We began by sharing our blessings.........of friends, health, family, special times shared.....everyone having a chance to speak from their heart which focused all of us on the meaning of Christmas Day.
Glad to be together. Glad to share a special day. Heightened meaning......awareness....... felt by all.
2 comments:
What a beautiful set of experiences. The spirit of togetherness and joy of interaction -- a true blessing. Thank you for sharing. Much peace, JP
I love it when friends feel that kind of comfortable in our home.
I'm so pleased Christmas was so special, captured beautifully for us to share, thank you, Katie,x
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