Wow - December already? How did that happen? OK, OK, so it's been a long time since the Fat Kid has published anything on here. Why? Well, to those in the know, it's been an eventful summer and fall. For those who don't know and want to know more, send me an e-mail or something - I'm not that difficult to find. Here is not the appropriate venue. Suffice it to say, though, that the Fat Kid has had quite a few changes in his life, and they have left him with no time to blog. But finally, things have settled down, the holiday season is upon us, and so it's time for a monthly project-ish thing again.
So, as I sit here with Pandora playing Christmas music in the background, the snow falling down outside, I am dedicating this month's posts to the beauty of the holiday season, as I witness it fully. Thoreau wrote of how he went to Walden Pond to "live deliberately, to suck the marrow out of life" (ok, not an exact quote) - what better way to experience the holidays than to imitate Thoreau's zeal? No, I'm not suggesting that we all abandon our lives as we know them and go off and live like hermits - afterall, if we did that, why bother writing this blog? No, I would encourage you to look at each moment of your life during this month, and look for something beautiful in it. Especially during this season, find the beauty in life.
One of my fondest memories growing up was a stack of old vinyl records my parents would play in rotation all during the holidays. Now, there were a few secular records, compilations of different musicians singing things like "Silver Bells" and all the classics, and many were also of a more religious bent, specifically from the Benedictine monks of Weston Abbey in Vermont. Those guys can really sing, I tell you. But The record stack would go on the turntable, and the tree would be plugged in, and the lights out. We'd sit and watch the tree. That's it. Just sit and watch it. I would look at the patterns on the ceiling, of pine boughs and colored lights, and a glint of silver or gold that reflected off an ornament here and there. It's something I've always enjoyed. For me, it is a perfect moment - peaceful and relaxing.
Today, I wonder how many moments we get like that anymore. So - take a moment, if you will, and share with me your stories, your moments of peace, something beautiful about your holiday. It doesn't have to be anything specific - it just has to be a beautiful moment to you.
Thanks for reading.
The Fat Kid
4 comments:
I have to take things day by day lately but I can tell you the most beautiful part of my day so far was listening to M sing Christmas songs all the way to school...his version of what he remembers of the songs is adorable. lol :)
Welcome back! I'm chuckling to myself thinking of you all sitting there watching the tree. I imagine it was one of few calm moments in your family's life!
I cherish the nights I arrive home to find all my Christmas lights turned on. Even though I live with the Grinch, every once in a while he gets off his bah humbug to put a smile on his face. It's the little things, you know?
I mean, put a smile on MY face, which them puts a smile on HIS face....
Well, and here I thought you'd just lost your blog and forgotten where you put!
An interesting project you have! I also remember decorating the tree as being the crowning point of the Christmas season - back when the season was only a couple weeks long. The record playing weren't those great guys from Weston Priory (a great place to visit, if you ever get the chance), rather it was an album of John Denver and the Muppets that stick in my memory. Yes, as ridiculous as you think and just as good.
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