’Tis the season

It’s the last Friday of the month. I want to say I can’t believe next week is December, but with the way this year has seemingly flown by, am I really so shocked?

Earlier this week, I was conversing with a friend and asked him how prep for the thanksgiving holiday was coming along. Much to my surprise, he didn’t even seem to acknowledge the celebration but just complained about the upcoming costs, and it made me realize how very different we view holidays as children vs adults. At lunch with my parents this afternoon, I jokingly remarked that once upon a time, by now I would have been thinking of my “Christmas dress”. They laughed as I shook my head, realizing that luxuries like that are the last thing on my mind. Oh, the joys of adulting.

December is coming, 2023 is gradually drawing to a close. Harmattan has finally shown up (or winter, depending on where you are). The US might have just celebrated Thanksgiving, but for the rest of the world, decorations have been going up and Mariah Carey is preparing to make her annual comeback with that song that keeps us in a festive chokehold. Christmas is nearing and for some, that means family gatherings; for other, it’s bills on bills. For some, the hustle merely continues. For many, it’s time to reflect and do inventory. For a lot, it’s a “Dirty December” loading. Still, for a select few, it’s nothing at all.

Wherever you fall, I hope you see the end of this year, and not the other way around. So many have passed on, shockingly, gradually, abruptly – so many have gone. I pray for comfort for loved ones left behind. I pray for any who reads this: for journey mercies in your goings and comings, for safety in all your doings. I pray you joy and peace and love and laughter.

I’m not exactly sure where I was going when I started writing this piece, but I do know I feel much better now that I’m at this point. So I guess here’s a good place as any to end it: with hopes and prayers.

See you next week, next month, and by God’s grace, next year.