Oh , the North Wind will blow....

A New Year's Eve not too many years ago, when our house on the hill was just a shell, we decided to see the New Year in, camped in our new house.  We drove the truck up and parked it in the yard, got out our gear, and built a fire outside.  We watched as dusk turned into night.  The wind grew stronger and the temperature began to drop.  We snuggled deeper into our blanket and ate a few more snacks before we made our way inside the house to bed down for the night.

We had heard the weather forecast for high winds but didn't pay much attention to it.  Our new house was just four walls and a roof at that time.  Flashlights and headlamps helped us see our way into the area that was to be our bedroom.  No walls inside, just bare studs.  Spreading out our sleeping bags we prepared to see in the New Year and then get a little sleep.  Right about midnight the wind began to howl.  We could hear something up on the roof begin to flap and bang.  What was it?  A loose board?  Some part of the house that was giving way to the strong gusts?  We turned on the  weather radio and were informed that high winds were hitting our area.  Actually we didn't need to be told that...we already knew it!

We tossed around the idea of leaving right then.  Packing up the  truck and heading back to town to our safe and cozy home on Second Street.  But it was just too bad outside to even think of venturing out.

Andy got up and sat in a chair, keeping track of the weather on the radio and every now and then walking around and checking on the inside creaks and groans.  Not a very restful time for him...or for me.

As usual, I stayed in my warm and comfy sleeping bag.  I have always depended on Andy to keep me safe and secure.  I was feeling very sleepy.  Even with the horrendous whistling of the wind overhead, the creaking and crashing sound of trees losing limbs in the nearby woods, and the ominous groaning of the rafters above me, I could feel myself relaxing there in the warm cocoon of my sleeping bag.  I pulled the hood up over my ears to muffle the sounds around me and went blissfully to sleep, there on the floor of my new home.

I don't know when Andy finally got into his sleeping bag.  I was out like a light.  When we awoke on New Year's Day the sun was bright and the sky was cloudless.  We had spent our first night in our new house.  Rode out a wind storm.  Nothing was damaged.  Not the best experience but one New Year's Eve we will remember for a long time.

Christmas Blues

I don't think that I am alone in feeling down during this happy time of year.  The closer the time draws to December 25th, the gloomier the sky appears, the song in my heart is still, and  joy, deep down joy, is hard to come by.  We just lit the Advent candle of joy yesterday.  Pastor Kristi gave a wonderful sermon on how to bring joy into your life.  The kids read scripture, prayed, sang, and did a wonderful job.  I heard the words, I smiled, I joked and laughed...but that joy just never did make it to my heart.

This morning started off wrong.  Not a big deal usually, but in my present downward mood, it seemed as if I might as well go back to bed, cover my head with a quilt and forget about everything.  However, I know better than to give in to this kind of feeling.  First of all, it doesn't do any good to dig a deeper hole to sit in.  Secondly, the bigger the pity party I give myself, the worse I feel.

Experience counts.

Experience tells me to put on my coat, leave the dishes in the sink, the clothes unwashed, and head out for a walk.  The first step or two was not what brought me back, but I was soon on my way.  Negative thoughts disappear when you are walking fast.  There is no way you can moan and groan when you are breathing hard, making tracks down the country road, sunlight glowing on the trees and bushes.  Looking up I see the blue sky.  Thank you God for that blue sky.  I take a deep breath.  Thank you God that I am able to walk with ease and breathe this fresh air.  I look around and see the little birds twittering in the brush, looking for food, singing merrily while they fly.  Thank you God for letting me borrow the birds' song.  I hear the cry of the hawk as he soars over the field, dipping his wing, circling over me.  Thank you God for eyes that can see and ears that hear.  Gradually, the heaviness lifts.  At home I have plenty to do. My cupboards are full of good food.  My house is warm and comfortable.  I have companionship.  I have love  to share with friends.  Thank you God.

It works every time.  Just a little walk to chase the Christmas blues..and leave an opening in my heart for joy to come in.

Wishes

'Tis the season for wishing.

I wish that everyone could experience a night full of stars.  The Milky Way spreading across the winter sky.  The Pleiades and Orion's Belt twinkling high above.  Close your eyes.  Can you hear the angels singing?

I wish that everyone could sit down to a table with food, hot from the oven, prepared with loving hands, and be grateful for what they have.

I wish that everyone could speak and be heard.  Listened to with respect and understanding.  Perhaps we can't agree.  But we can be civil and live in peace with our neighbor.

I wish that children could grow up with love on every hand, protected by the community, taught to give as well as receive, and live in harmony with each other.

I wish that each person would open their eyes every day and be thankful  they are alive,  and determined to do their best to make this a better world.

Wishes.  Perhaps more than that.  This is the season of promise.  Perhaps it is time to make some of these wishes come true.