The December Pause

Brought to me, unexpectedly, but not surprisingly.

December 1st brought sniffles to my husband, and a few inches of snow to our town. I meant to stay home, but ended up out there to help family.

Although there’s a bunch of All-wheel drive vehicles available now, I am still happy that front wheel drive exists. I learned how to drive on wintery country roads with rear-wheel drive. Although still cautious, me and my front-wheel drive Camry negotiate the snowy, sloppy streets.

I got to go outside in the snow with my granddaughter, who made a driveway snow angel before it was scooped away.

I had never considered making a snow angel on the driveway!

December 2 brought sunshine, and pretty snow pictures in our backyard.

The goldenrod is fanning out; the snow emphasizing its fan shape.

Our bed of chives adds interest in our winter backyard. I was glad I captured the image when I did. These delicate snow caps had melted by the end of the day.

My husband knows I love our sunrises, and greeted my awakening with the news of a gorgeous sunrise. We walked outside to enjoy the crisp morning air and the delight of the sunrise.

By December 3rd, I had a sore throat, with new symptoms developing in the next days. This began my cascade of rescheduling my appointments for a week. No going out, no grandchild care provided, I didn’t even attend online meetings. I didn’t have the energy for my daily journaling. I was grounded.

I mused that being ill in December thwarted my Plan A December preparations for the holidays. No Christmas decorating was happening, and no energy, or time left, for those thoughts of original, homemade gifts. I realized, that I had left far too much for December anyway, and scaling back my expectations was the next indicated thing. I still wish I could learn that sans illness.

Onto Plan B.

Our neighbors’ installed this inflatable Santa. They have lived here about five years, but this is the first appearance of front lawn Santa!

We see it through our living room windows. It took me over a week to realize Santa’s arm waved! At first I attributed any movement as the natural contribution of our wind. With closer observation, I realized the deliberate, smooth downward motion of the arm did not match the spontaneity of wind. I stopped to continue watching that bulbous Santa, and realized the motion was probably mechanized. It was slow, so I waited, then counted the ten second pauses between waves, confirming its programmed pattern.

Now, whenever I walk past our window I pause, and wait to see what part of the cycle that Santa arm is in. I watch for one friendly Santa wave, greeting everyone or no one. Just waving. This is part of my December Plan B. Watch the arm, take a breath, and pause in the moments that may make no sense. That was not in my plans. But turn out to be the gifts of the day.

And remember to glimpse the treat of our December sunsets too.