Wandering through any store, during this time of year, one
is inundating with the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. We are transported back in time to when we
were small and the holidays were pure magic.
The enchantment was more than gifts from a large man with a beard doing
the impossible in one evening. It was a
combination of inspired ingredients. The
continual anticipation of fresh fallen snow with sledding, snowmen and ice skating,
the seductive blend of smells like turkey, cranberries, stuffing in the kitchen,
with a hint of pine and cinnamon in the living room, the soft sounds of
seasonal music underlying the laughs and constant chatter of a happily reunited
family, all of these swirling together in a big magical cauldron of goodness.
In my mind it always feels like a fairy-tale, and I can feel
the happiness through my entire being.
It is the same feeling I get when I see that first frosted breath during
a crisp fall football game, or hear the first holiday tune on the radio, or
when I arrive at my family’s house after months and months, collapse next to my
mom and dad and find the peace and rest one can only find with a great and
loving family. I am blessed. To not only have had all of these lovely
experiences, but to have them evolve and grow as time holds my hand along its
winding path.
Throughout my adulthood, the holidays have changed. Family has moved on and spread out. I have family of my own now and am working to
create our own traditions and magic. Subsequently,
I find with all the changes throughout life, the roles of family and friend
become skewed and blurred.
There will forever be
differences between family and friends.
For instance, I will never be able to fully and completely be sated,
relaxed, and recharged like I can in my parents presence. No matter how close the friend, they will
never have the familial bond that only 18 years of life and support can
bring. However, the older I get the more
like family my friends become. When your
childhood world spreads its wings and flies a new world presents itself. One in which you become self reliant and
directed. This brave new world is
challenging and often leads to tears, anxiety, loss of sleep, wrinkles and gray
hairs. Perhaps this is why family is so rejuvenating. It was the last place I was ever able to completely
rely on others to care for me. As such,
I can head home and fall on their couch, in their arms, and directly back into
that pattern. The moment comes and goes,
the rest revives, the soul survives, and the thoracic thrives (oh how I love
rhyming and alliteration), and then it is time to go home.
While rest can often be found with family, the larger
everyday role of supporter is taken over by friends. This support is not the same, but oh so very important. The emotional day to day drama, the creative
thoughts and ideals, the interests, the daily dose of sanity, all of these become
the role of friends. We support each
other through successes and failures, celebrate events, challenge each other’s
ideals and philosophies, and most importantly help support one another through
every day struggles.
I was recently in the company of friends for the Annual
Misfits Thanksgiving party. We all
gather together to celebrate how blessed we are with amazing food, wine, and
frivolity. This event is now a part of
the magic of the holidays. It is an
opportunity to say thanks for the amazing blessings of friends, those who
become like family when family is far away.
In another week, I will travel to be with my family and once again say
thanks for my family who, no matter what, has always been my friend.
I am truly blessed. Thanks
to my friends who are like family and to my family who are like friends. I love you all!
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