Boxing Day?

One of my favorite things to do on a beautiful day like today is walk my dog from my house to the park, sit on a bench, and just be-- look out at the lake, watch the people walking by, write in my journal...  It seems like an "old man" thing to do, I know, but something about it brings about a sense of calm to me that can't be accomplished any other way.  As great as it would have been to see snow on Christmas, I was grateful for a beautiful and sunny post-Christmas day.

I think the last time I saw so many geese and ducks on the lake was when I lived in Germany.  My dad was in the army then and was stationed there when I was 3 years old to 5.  So.... that was over ten years ago.  NO..... twenty years ago!  Something about my memories in Germany brings me to a different, almost ethereal, place.  Back then, I didn't have a lot of places to call home, considering we were moving around so much due to my dad's job,  but Germany, the way I look back on it now, was definitely the closest thing I had to that "home" feeling as a child.

My best Christmas memory was in Germany, when Santa (and a scarecrow-- I don't know if it's the culture, or if they couldn't come up with any other costume) came to the door with a brand new Safari Barbie.  And then my dad came home not an hour later with the giraffe to match.  The best part, I think, was when my parents started laughing at how unplanned it all was.

So, the park definitely reminds me of Germany.  Maybe that's why I love it so much.  Now, if I could just get Bella to stop eating the goose poop off the ground....

Today will hopefully be a momentous day when I can finally say everything is listed on etsy.  Either today or tomorrow.

Christmas Time is Here....

Merry Christmas.

First things first... I posted all of my wallets on etsy.  More to come tomorrow, like some of my jewelry and cards.  I wish I had the time to do all of this before the holiday season, but I'm satisfied to finally get part of this done.

So far, my Christmas has been pretty low key, as they tend to be.  I went over to celebrate with my parents yesterday, and they gave me the GPS I've been asking for the 2 years.  So glad I don't have to worry about my lack of direction, at least when I'm driving, anymore.

I decided this Christmas, I would intentionally seek out solitude.  Christmas, for most people, is a time when they get together with their families, open presents, and whatnot.  For me, it's never been a huge deal.  I never had a Santa Claus or a big morning ceremony to wake up for.  Usually my mom had to work.  This year was no exception.  I went to my parents' house and found my mom asleep on the couch and my dad's car gone.

My dad's brother passed away three days ago, hit by a drunk driver while he was going on a walk, and my mom decided Christmas eve was the appropriate time to tell me, I guess.  Not that I was close to him-- I met him once when I was in Korea one summer during high school.  But it did make me think....

The true meaning of Christmas is.... more than presents and more than family, even.

If I could articulate my words more eloquently, I would.  But for now, I'm going to continue to reflect in solitude.  On beauty.  On life.  On love.  On sacrifice.  On the meaning of it all.