a different holiday season

This year Halloween sure looked different.  In a normal year in our neighborhood, the whole block is barricaded for a Mardi Gras-like costume extravaganza.  This year it was silent…barely a handful of trick-or-treaters.  I filled my Little Free Library full of mysteries and spooky picture books for those stragglers who wandered by, then turned out my lights and celebrated with our grandchildren in the backyard. Our neighbors across the street even created a pumpkin display to reflect the distinctive aspect of this year’s celebration. It’s a cheeky reference to the pandemic, particularly in the way that the masked pumpkin is socially distanced from the coronaviruses.  

And now we are turning toward Thanksgiving, fretting a bit about how to safely gather with extended family.  We’re blessed to live in Southern California, so I’m saying lots of weather prayers that it will be mild enough to eat our feast outside.  And we are also blessed with a guest house for our visiting family to stay in, so we don’t have to tumble in on top of each other.  Everyone will have COVID tests before they head our way, but somehow none of these precautions seems like quite enough. 

And then there’s Christmas on the not-so-distant horizon, a season like no other in a year like no other.

Last week I took my youngest grandson on our customary morning walk.  I usually start down a big hill and then head back up, with detours on level, side streets to catch my breath for the next uphill leg.  But on this morning, I was over halfway down the hill before I noticed that one of the stroller tires was flat.  Hmmm.  What to do?

I texted my daughter and told her that I might need help getting up the hill.  But she was out and wouldn’t be home for a while.  I girded myself and with extra effort pushed through.  It was a slog, but I made it.

Are you facing this holiday season spiritually or emotionally deflated?  Do you feel like the holidays will be an uphill climb?  I want to encourage you with a special offer.  Our daughter Meredith has created five days of devotional readings for the holiday season.  These can be found at <Frecklesandfortitude.com>.  Once you are on her website, click on the photo above the words:  "FREE Holiday Devotional", and sign up to receive her messages of encouragement.

Love and blessed holidays from a very proud mom!