"It's a Wonderful Life"

Yes, it is a wonderful life, even with all its ups and downs. Last post, I was especially despondent, and have still not come to grips with that set-back. However, that has to wait for another time.

It's December and everyone is busy. Fortunately, I don't have the usual baking and shopping stresses that I once had, when my children were little and we had to play Satan Claus and do all that crazy stuff. Now that I've cast off Satan and things that promote greed and unachievable goals, I feel much better. I pity people who still do all that.

For me, Christmas won't come until December 24/25th, and then it will be over as fast as it arrives. Before that, we have Advent--a time of waiting and anticipation of the birth of Jesus. I love the lights and some of the music, and the general feeling of people at least feigning happiness while they grumble about the stress. At least they're trying to find happiness. The smiles are contagious, and the intentions are to appear joyous. For me, it's no more joyous than Lent. In fact, I find Lent more joyous because even though that leads to the crucifixion of Jesus, it ultimately blossoms with the Resurrection at Easter.

Both Christmas and Easter bring better weather, sort of. Christmas is around the winter equinox and so with it the days begin to grow longer and brighter, leading to Lent, which brings Easter springtime and then summer. Both are harbingers of more light in the world. Sort of.

At Advent, I set aside the busy-ness of tasks I've taken on during the year. Maybe I shouldn't, but I do. For example, I've taken on a couple of jobs for Franciscans, and those are on hold for now. At the moment, I have the excuse of the Canadian postal strike--can't trust anything to go through right now, so may as well wait until that settles. That's as good an excuse as any for my procrastination.

This year, like last year, I'm in a play. Last year, I had a couple of bit parts in "A Christmas Carol" and this year I'm playing Ma Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" and enjoying it very much. I think this will likely be my last foray onto the stage--I'm getting too old for all the hustle and bustle backstage. On stage, it's fun--even when I'm struggling to recall my next line.

All this means that writing is on hold--except for my autobiography. I've already distributed Decade One to the family. I hope to have Decade Two done and ready for distribution at our Epiphany brunch.