Holiday Reflections and New Year’s Inflections

Holiday Reflections and New Year’s Inflections

By Cate Rees-Hessel

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Kwanzaa, everyone. I have been thinking about unique holiday gifts this season, not the same old, same old. A classic carol came to mind as I began to ponder unusual presents…

Too Much of Good Things?

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. ” A cute, quiet little birdie in a tree the bears fruit, a gift that keeps on giving – Amazon does have everything.

On the second day, “two turtle doves” – doves signify peace, very appropriate for the season and our often crazy world.

The third day brings us more birds, “three French hens” – no offense to those birds, but French perfume would suit my tastes a bit better.

The fourth day. “Four calling birds”, more avian gifts – it’s getting just a bit crowded in here, and surely the neighbors will call the cops with all the squawking…

“Five golden rings” – jewelry! Much better, thank you.

Day six geese, even more feathered friends – they are a-laying on my best holiday quilt and making quite the mess. My true love is getting on my last nerve…

The seventh day, swimming swans – what’s with all these birds? Perhaps a pair of tickets to see Swan Lake would be a more appropriate present?

Number eight, maids milking – I do enjoy an ice cold glass of fat free milk, and who can’t use the services of a good maid, but this is kind of overkill…

“Nine ladies dancing” – please refer to number seven, tickets to the ballet – thank you.

“Ten lords a leaping” – what the heck kind of goofy gift is this? These clumsy dudes are scaring my pets and destroying my home decor.

“Eleven pipers piping” – I met a very understanding police officer, courtesy of my next door neighbor…

Phew, we made it to the last day, a full dozen drummers, drumming up even more noise. and I am seriously considering taking out a restraining order. Perhaps my true love should have purchased a gift card for a massage and pedicure, much more my style…

New Year, New You…

And then, of course, Happy 2025. Hopefully, we are all resolving to show love and kindness to others, this year and always.

Resolute!

I realize many of us have personal resolutions to enrich and better our own lives: for example, I resolve to buy more shoes and drink more mocha lattes – I believe in making resolutions that I know I can keep.  Hopefully, my husband has resolved to be a bit more careful with the outside mirrors on our Mini Cooper; this will certainly improve his wellbeing. I, in turn, could resolve to allow him to sleep indoors, since our puggle Sasha misses the use of her house.

Food for Thought…

Of course, I realize resolutions can come in many different forms. Perhaps many of you might be traditionalists, for instance, resolving to lose weight. As a plus-size princess, I have learned to be comfortable in my own skin, but I do advocate healthy eating and exercise.  We can all resolve to eat healthier by avoiding processed foods, preservatives, and sodium intake.  I am resolving to stick with Meatless Mondays and enjoy a wide variety of fish – our cat Prada applauds this part of my resolution.

Stretch Yourself

If you are anything like me, exercise needs to be fun – a stroll through the dog park, or a dance class at the park district or local studio can help one reach my fitness goals.  I certainly hope you dance in the coming year, but whatever you resolve to do, remember to do it with style.

Old Long Since

On a more serious and reflective note, we remember a beautiful version of “Auld Lang Syne” by Celtic Woman; it got me to thinking about that New Year’s Eve favorite – many artists have sung it, including a lovely rendition by Barry Manilow. The song actually derives from an old Scottish poem – I never really thought about the lyrics much except to have always considered them to be just a bit depressing. “Should auld (old) acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind”. There are many old acquaintances that I truly care to remember and remain acquainted with. Those who are no longer here, the reminiscence can be rife with sadness, yet oddly comforting. Some whom have gone on and many whom still remain in our lives, of course, don’t always bring happy memories.

Greet Someone Different Than You

Several years ago, we attended a fabulous Kirk Franklin concert on New Year’s Day. Mr. Franklin talked about saying hello to someone you didn’t know, as well as not taking certain people into the new year with us. Truth be told, there are certain folks I don’t care to take into the next minute with me. Getting rid of toxicity in our lives can often be the best resolution we can make – heartbreaking as it can be, sometimes a clean break is for the best.

Forgive, But Not Forget…

The Lord teaches us to forgive, but forgiveness does not mean to carry another person’s bad behavior with us through the coming months. Let bygones be bygones but do so with wisdom – maybe that is what this song is trying to communicate. When our hearts are heavily burdened, it’s time for a spiritual and emotional renewal.

Those who Forgot History, Doomed Us to Repeat It

The phrase, “Let go and let God” comes to mind, however, as we enter 2025 we are forced to take “The Donald” with us, much to the disappointment of many of us. With 49.5 per cent of the vote it is clear Trump did not receive a mandate to do anything. Less than half the electorate chose a repeat term of terror by the orange-haired former “occupant” of the Oval Office; but we must endure in resistance with the help and hope of the Lord. We will “take a cup of kindness yet” and have a stiff drink from it, as we offer God’s grace and walk away from those that don’t enrich our lives, because self-care has style…