The past few years have been isolating and difficult for many of us. I know our family has been unable to gather in our home for the holidays since the pandemic conspired with my husband’s colon cancer to keep us apart. It’s been disappointing. I deeply miss the laughter, the hugs, the games, the conversations, the presents, and the breaking of bread together.
While health issues and distance continue to keep us apart for yet another year, I’ll make the best of our “couple’s only” Christmas at home. At my husband’s request, I’m making Cornish hens stuffed with wild rice, basil balsamic green beans and peach cobbler for dessert. I mailed Christmas gifts to the kids and grandkids along with most of those therapeutic hand-painted items I completed. We purchased gifts for each other to open, too, although mine is a Cricut hot press that I chose myself. And just for a fun surprise, I purchased $40 worth of holiday-themed scratchers. It will be fun to see if we win something. I’m planning to speak with all the kids and close family members today to help close the distance between us.
To you readers, please know that I appreciate you taking the time each Sunday to read about my life experiences, my thoughts, reflections, and ideas about how to improve our lives as humans. I pray that there is something in my commitment to be transparent and vocal about life as an older black woman in America that helps or inspires or encourages you.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Holidays. May the joy of the season surround you whether you are alone or surrounded by family and friends. If you feel a bit lonely today, I encourage you to treat yourself well and then to reach out to family and friends who will love hearing from you. I pray that 2023 is better in many ways than 2022.