One of my favorite Christmas carols says, "Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas." And it really is.
It is a nice, comfortable 59 degrees at quarter to one here in Napa. As I am sitting at my desk, out my window I see the tall Christmas-like pine trees, the stout northern Mayacaymus Mountains, and a little bit of yellow peeking through where the mustard flowers have started to bloom between the bare vines that are a cold, indian clay red now that they've been stripped of their fruit and the leaves have all fallen to the cold, damp earth. This sight is so picturesque it seems as though it could only be an oil painting in which the artist's rendition of a perfect Northern California winter can only be complemented by a baby blue, almost too perfect sky that is the culminating detail in his work of art. The presence of a few small, white clouds only brings me back to reality in which I realize how lucky I am to live where I do, how I do.
I know that Thanksgiving is typically when you give special thanks to the people and things in life you are grateful for, but I felt it only fitting that I express how much I really do appreciate everything I have.
It has always been so interesting to me how we celebrate Thanksgiving, where we are supposed to show how especially thankful we are for what we have, and then it seems most instantly we are swept into the Christmas holiday, where as children you are almost completely consumed with want. Although, as children get older they realize the real meaning of Christmas and the season is just as much about giving and appreciation as Thanksgiving, I think it is easy to forget the root of the celebration.
Let's not wait; make a resolution now. For this holiday season, and the rest of the ever changing seasons to follow, take a step back and look at the big picture. You might even find one that is far more beautiful than you ever thought possible.
7 years ago