christmas lights

there is only one type of family gathering that i favor sincerely, and that is the wake in preparation for a burial. demented, as it is rightly to think so. no, i am not a death-loving person. on the contrary, isn't in this time your family is gathered to mourn loss and value life? everyone is vulnerable and you get to comfort each other because everyone of you understands the loss. you would feel grateful to still be able to move, motivate, nurture, to be productive, to live another day with all its opportunities, challenges and surprises ahead of you. you get to think of the people you look forward of seeing. that greatness of finding out that you are still able to smile and discovering that life is a giant. you get to reflect on your own life and ask yourself questions you don't get to on normal days when you always have to be on your a-game and appear certain.

christmas just ended, and yes, it is enjoyable with the hollies, apple cider, feasts and gifts you share with people you love. but i feel as if christmas is losing its luster with all the pressure of making the gifts as thoughtful, the food as delicious, and the experience in general as memorable and fun, if not more than the last. but take the tree down, the lights off and the food out. what else have you got? after the festivities are over and done, what are you left with?

that dreaded feeling of going back to work the next day.