If there's one thing we've entered the holiday season with, it's gratitude.
Since today is the Winter Solstice, we look back on autumn. We always wait for Fall to come, and then it is a whirlwind once it finally arrives. To be honest, this Fall was a bit rough. Our work, school, extra work projects, and pre-arranged travel left us with not enough time for rest as we would have liked. Too busy. And once the shock of the election hit in November, we were left pretty raw.
After some heartbreak in my life, I found myself needing some new Thanksgiving plans. I received several invites from friends to join them in the city, but once I got the text from Meg saying: "Oh, duh, of course you're welcome to join my family!" my heart just sank in a big exhale. I knew that's where I needed to be to find any sort of peace. I probably sound like a broken record by now, but everyone should be so lucky to take a lesson in hospitality from the Murray's. The moment I got on the LIRR to head their way, my heart felt a little lighter. They offered me a warm, cozy healing cocoon. A place at the table. Good wine and lots of cheese. Rest. The type of rest I just couldn't facilitate on my own at that moment.
The time was such a breath of fresh air and rejuvenation. I mean with the days full of the ocean, fall walks, eating, fire places, dog cuddles, and Hallmark marathons, what more could you ask for? Meg offered me companionship. Oh this friendship we've got. It's special and I'm just so grateful. I should find a more articulate way to express it, but I'll say it over and over again how good it is for your soul to have some deep friendships in your life. The ones who you not only celebrate and adventure with, but the ones who have sat in the valleys of grief with you. There's a different sort of gravity that exists there. We took beautiful long walks talking about everything, scheming up our next trip (yes, we may have booked tickets to Iceland), and skipping through the last of the crunchy colorful leaves.
We also stood and took in the ocean in silence. Sometimes you have everything to say and you don't even need to say it at all.
Lessons for this holiday season: Gratitude should always be a daily practice. It makes your perspective shift, allows you to feel a little lighter. Friendships too.
Nature is also pretty rad.