I'm Making a List and I'm Only Checking It Once

I went through my November "list" this afternoon. It's the running list of errands/accomplishments I hoped/needed to get done last month. I was glad to see all the things that I had crossed off and noted the many I need to carry into December. My December list looks endless. Like most Decembers -- like most months -- I know lots of things won't get done and the ambitions of December 1, today, will fade into mist by January 1.

The tree stand around the corner...

 



But this year I realize that checking off every item on my list really doesn't matter. There will be things that get in the way of my list. Some will be good things, like last minute invitations to spend time with friends and less good things like unexpected storms or an upset stomach. Real life intrudes on the best planned list and a good number of things won't matter so much as I look back on this season.

This elf is busily at work at a Midtown store.

 



The items at the top of the list don't even need to be written down. I do plan to celebrate Chanukah and Christmas with friends. I plan to dress Pepe the Monkee in his holly jolly outfit and set out my snowman and snow globe collection. I plan to enjoy the sights and lights of this season in New York City. I'm hoping that these plans, large and small, will keep the light of hope in my heart, no matter how dark the days may be. After all, it doesn't matter to me -- or to the (not very) naughty and (very) nice on my list how the presents are wrapped or whether the cards arrive after Christmas. The things that matter can't be bought on Cyber Monday and as much as I'd like, the things I want for gifts are not for sale anywhere. 

I'm not going to share a photo of my scribble scrabble list, but instead here are pictures I've taken around New York in the last week.

So enjoyed this display of New York ornaments in a local store. 

 

 

DearDear friends, savor the season! Catch the rays of light and hold them in your heart.

 

 

Happy Chanukah

Approximately 2300 years ago the land of Judea had been conquered by the Syrian Greeks. The Temple had been given over to worship of the gods of the conquerers. Judah Maccabee and his brothers led a group that reconquered Judea. After three years they succeeded and one of their first acts was to clean the Temple and rededicate it to worship. They went to light the eternal light -- a light that is in every Jewish house of worship -- and found a small amount of oil. It looked to be only enough oil for one day, but miraculously the oil burned for eight days and 2300 years later we remember this miracle and light candles for eight nights.

Chanukah has always been a favorite holiday. As a child I loved the candles and had my own tiny menorah, the eight branched candle holder, that used birthday candles. I also liked the presents, though they were generally simple and useful. I did get presents -- or a present -- on each night, but some nights were navy cotton knee socks for school or a new cotton slip. One of my favorite gifts was the Life Saver Treasure Book, with seven rolls of assorted Life Savers.

And now? I love the idea that 2300 years later we are still celebrating a miracle and that light can shine from a time of darkness.

Wishing you light and hope and miracles!

Harvest Thanks and Blessings

Last night began Sukkot, the holiday of thanksgiving for the harvest and commemorating the forty years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Traditionally people eat their meals in the sukkah, which is built open to the sky, and is a symbol of the huts that were lived in during the wandering in the desert. Happily today it was quite warm and no coats and gloves were needed at the sukkah our congregation builds.

When I was growing up my parents were responsible for decorating our congregation's sukkah. Like most activities in the 1950s we were there as a family, stringing cranberries and popcorn and making paper chains. This holiday, like every other, takes on a special poignancy as I grow older and memories of childhood come back from a long ago time. Is this similar for all of you, dear blog friends? What are some of your favorite memories from holidays gone by?

As always, thanks for stopping by and visiting Buttercupland. Please come and visit often!