Christmas Eve is one week from tonight. This year we think we're on Santa's lists for both naughty and nice. It's not clear how that will play out in our stocking and under our tree, but we're looking forward to finding out. Mother Nature isn't offering much in the way of sunshine or clear skies between now and Christmas. Maybe she's coordinating with Santa and we're all being punished because we're not taking enough care of our only home, the earth.
This afternoon we get to collect our Community Supported Agriculture share from Foxtail Farm. Next week we'll be picking up Christmas dinner, with all the fixin's, from the Farm Table Foundation in Amery, WI. This helps accomplish two very worthwhile goals. It means that neither the Better Half nor the Daughter Person has to spend much time preparing Christmas dinner, so more time can be spent enjoying the granddaughter/daughter for whom this will be "Baby's First Christmas." It also means that we're helping to support local farms, farmers, and others in a nearby local food system. As we were discussing Christmas dinner last night, the Daughter Person pointed out that we hadn't had a Christmas (Canada) goose since she was about 3½. (That means it's been way too long since we've been goose hunting.)
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| presents under and on the tree
Photo by J. Harrington
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We think we'll finish Christmas shopping today or tomorrow. This year, more than most, we've been aware of how much more we have than many others sharing this world these days. That's prompted us to be more generous than in the past with our year end donations. This is the year we encountered the saying "If you have more than you need build a bigger table – not a higher fence." It makes sense and also helps US feel better about enjoying our blessings.
Over the past day or so we've noticed we're way behind on our Christmas reading. During the next week we plan on enjoying the following:
- An Aboriginal Carol ~ David Bouchard
- Christmas Here in Northern Lands ~ Haavik & Kloss
- An Adolescent's Christmas-1944 ~ Carol Bly
Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread, that bottle of pop.
Turn off that cellphone, computer, and remote control.
Open the door, then close it behind you.
Take a breath offered by friendly winds. They travel the earth gathering essences of plants to clean.
Give it back with gratitude.
If you sing it will give your spirit lift to fly to the stars’ ears and back.
Acknowledge this earth who has cared for you since you were a dream planting itself precisely within your parents’ desire.
Let your moccasin feet take you to the encampment of the guardians who have known you before time, who will be there after time. They sit before the fire that has been there without time.
Let the earth stabilize your postcolonial insecure jitters.
Be respectful of the small insects, birds and animal people who accompany you.
Ask their forgiveness for the harm we humans have brought down upon them.Don’t worry.
The heart knows the way though there may be high-rises, interstates, checkpoints, armed soldiers, massacres, wars, and those who will despise you because they despise themselves.The journey might take you a few hours, a day, a year, a few years, a hundred, a thousand or even more.
Watch your mind. Without training it might run away and leave your heart for the immense human feast set by the thieves of time.
Do not hold regrets.
When you find your way to the circle, to the fire kept burning by the keepers of your soul, you will be welcomed.
You must clean yourself with cedar, sage, or other healing plant.
Cut the ties you have to failure and shame.
Let go the pain you are holding in your mind, your shoulders, your heart, all the way to your feet. Let go the pain of your ancestors to make way for those who are heading in our direction.
Ask for forgiveness.
Call upon the help of those who love you. These helpers take many forms: animal, element, bird, angel, saint, stone, or ancestor.
Call your spirit back. It may be caught in corners and creases of shame, judgment, and human abuse.
You must call in a way that your spirit will want to return.
Speak to it as you would to a beloved child.
Welcome your spirit back from its wandering. It may return in pieces, in tatters. Gather them together. They will be happy to be found after being lost for so long.
Your spirit will need to sleep awhile after it is bathed and given clean clothes.
Now you can have a party. Invite everyone you know who loves and supports you. Keep room for those who have no place else to go.
Make a giveaway, and remember, keep the speeches short.
Then, you must do this: help the next person find their way through the dark.
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Thanks for visiting. Come again when you can.
Please be kind to each other while you can.
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