One of life's (many) great surprises of adulthood has been that often, the Christmas spirit doesn't magically appear just because it's December. Some years are better than others; this is one of the off years. A lot of life is getting in the way, and plus, the weather isn't exactly cooperating. I have never dreamed of a Brown Christmas, Mother Nature!!
Sometimes, you just have to go looking for the spirit. And I know where to find it. It's pretty much where I find most everything else I need: in the mountains. The mountains have snow, glorious snow! I've been snowshoeing three times so far this month. While the excursions put me behind in other things, like writing cards or shopping, they help align my feelings with the season. Tramping around in the white stuff among the evergreens is good for the soul. (And helps burn off all the extra goodies.)
On Tuesday morning I woke up before 5:00 am, got dressed and drove an hour in the dark to my destination. I fumbled around in the dark to put on my gear and get my dog hooked up. When I finally got going at about 6:30, dawn was just beginning and I was able to hike without the headlamp. It was about 25 degrees, warm enough to go without snowpants. The snow that would appear hard and crusty by daylight sparkled under the moon. Everything was silent except for the tramping of my snowshoes.
There was a time when I never would have bothered getting up that early for any reason. But there is something holy about a sunrise that you just don't get at any other time of day. I don't know if I'll ever make a habit out of early rising, but I hope so. I can't say that I was thinking about Christmas during that time, but I was thinking a lot about a Son-rise.
Sometimes, you just have to go looking for the spirit. And I know where to find it. It's pretty much where I find most everything else I need: in the mountains. The mountains have snow, glorious snow! I've been snowshoeing three times so far this month. While the excursions put me behind in other things, like writing cards or shopping, they help align my feelings with the season. Tramping around in the white stuff among the evergreens is good for the soul. (And helps burn off all the extra goodies.)
On Tuesday morning I woke up before 5:00 am, got dressed and drove an hour in the dark to my destination. I fumbled around in the dark to put on my gear and get my dog hooked up. When I finally got going at about 6:30, dawn was just beginning and I was able to hike without the headlamp. It was about 25 degrees, warm enough to go without snowpants. The snow that would appear hard and crusty by daylight sparkled under the moon. Everything was silent except for the tramping of my snowshoes.
There was a time when I never would have bothered getting up that early for any reason. But there is something holy about a sunrise that you just don't get at any other time of day. I don't know if I'll ever make a habit out of early rising, but I hope so. I can't say that I was thinking about Christmas during that time, but I was thinking a lot about a Son-rise.
I love to sleep, and I don't like losing any for just anything. But I'll gladly give up a few hours for this. No one saw this scene but me, and that's what makes it magical.
Now that I've had my fix I'm ready to rock this Christmas thing!
Now that I've had my fix I'm ready to rock this Christmas thing!