Perhaps more than at any time in recent memory, joy has been pretty hard to come by in this past year. At the moment, I am feeling contemplative.
Christmas, usually a time for excitement, celebration, and sharing, has been very quiet. Not without its bright spots, but quiet.
Advised to stay home, spend time only with immediate family/housemates, many of us have felt isolated, bored, lonely, and hungry for the company of others and the fun that always accompanied the season. But sometimes the bright spots came right to our doors.
In small town New Jersey, Santa Claus still came through our streets, courtesy of our local fire department. It was different this year; traditionally, Santa has come through in the evening accompanied by 5 or 6 fire engines, sirens wailing, lights flashing in the dark, and Santa hopped off the truck to give out candy canes to all the little ones. It may have been a smaller appearance, but it still lit up our hearts and smiles.
We had snow … the wet, heavy kind that’s hard to shovel, but beautiful none the less, especially after the driveways and walkways were cleared. It’s still a bit of a fairyland, if just we put our worries to the side.
We are told in so many ways to forget the past – it’s over – and not to worry about tomorrow – it’s not promised to us – but to find our joy in the moment. 2020 has been one long challenge to that idea. I need not enumerate the global, national, or individual tolls that have been paid this year, and yet, for those of us who continue to write, and for those of us who continue to read each other’s posts, and for so many more around the world, we’re still here.
Maybe worn and frayed about the edges, but we’re still here. Let’s celebrate that.
If we have roofs over our heads, warmth, and enough to eat, let’s celebrate that.
If we have people who care about us – and we are always loved by someone – let’s celebrate that.
Tonight, before the clock strikes 12, I plan to make a list of at least ten truly wonderful moments I’ve known in 2020, no matter how big or small. If I feel like writing more, I will, but at least that, because the way to find the joy in so many moments is to be grateful for them. And I will try to be more conscious of the many gifts that are mine in the moment, right here, right now.
May 2021 bring you many joyous moments of all sizes and kinds. May you know peace within your heart, and know you are always safe.
Cheers.
Still A Dreamer 
Great post. Beautiful words and images. Cheers to you, my friend. Can’t wait for the good ol’ days to return.
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You and me both! Thank you, and may all our heartfelt words carry us into the New Year and brighten our way. See you real soon. 🙂
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Such a beautiful reflection, Jeanne. Joy has been lean this year. Thank you for this reminder that, if we look more closely and stay awake, it’s here, trying its hardest to offer comfort and peace.
I so enjoyed the photos of your beautiful home, and snow-covered yards.
Every December, Santa also toured the small town where I grew up, and also on a fire truck lit colorfully and loudly playing Christmas music as the truck moved up and down the streets. What fun to see he’s still at it, even if a bit more socially distant this year.
Joy to you and your beloveds, and to all the Earth, as the New Year reveals her mysteries. 🙂
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Thank you, Kitty, and always the same to you. The world is still a wonderful place, even if, at times, somewhat unfathomable. How lucky are we that we still have the opportunity to see what a new year has in store, and that we can continue to make a difference, each in our own way. Blessings on our Earth, indeed.
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I am glad Santa made an appearance in your town this year! A beautiful post, Jeanne, and I found joy in it. 🙂 May the new year bring all good things to you. Stay safe and well.
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The same to you, Lavinia. May we find peace, may our beautiful planet find peace, and hopefully, you and I and everyone else will be safe and hugging again sometime soon. Santa is always a treat, even if scaled down and socially distant – just so nice that our fire dept. did this in spite of it all.
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Beautiful pictures and sentiment. You are so right, we need to consciously cultivate joy by calling to mind our blessings. Happy New Year! 🎆
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Thanks, Collette. It may be a challenge, especially in tough times, but it is the way to go. There’s always something to be thankful for!
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Same to you, Jeanne. Good reminders to be grateful for all that we have. I hope you have a healthy and happy upcoming year!
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Same to you, Becky. May it be a safer, saner year for us all. 🎉
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Wishing you all the best – and lots of joy – for the year to come Jeanne.
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Thanks, Andrea. Likewise. Lots of joy would be soooooo wonderful!
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I love the photos and the snow! Seeing Santa made me smile. Yes, we are worn and frayed around the edges. And yes we are still here. I’m especially celebrating that today. May we all remember to find the little things to celebrate. Thank you, Jeanne. x
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Hi Cheryl, I’m always glad to see you here! And see? That’s a small joy right there – that people we’ve come to know online through our writing, stop in with some nice things to say. Santa’s visit is so dramatic at night – it’s a real light show – but that these guys, in the middle of a pandemic, still got out and made the rounds throughout the town on a cold, grey winter’s day … well, you have to appreciate that. Here’s something else … the radio station I listen to in the morning in the kitchen, and that I sometimes leave on during the day, plays the national anthem every day at noon. I never fail to tear up and often, unthinkingly, place my hand over my heart. We are still here. Happy New Year.
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I do the very same when I hear the national anthem, Jeanne! I grew up in a very patriotic home. Our walls were decorated with photos of presidents, congressmen, and labor union leaders. Mom gave me a flag lapel pin every year. She was involved with lots of civic and political organizations.
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Wow – that makes perfect sense to me, then! I did not grow up in a house of any particular political persuasion at all. I believe my Dad and Grandpa voted, but because it was never discussed, I have no idea to this day what they thought of anything politically. For me, I am just heartbroken at how our democracy is being undermined right now. I see so much good in this country, in the people themselves, and so much more we could do for so many and for our planet. We’ve done so much … I want to see more of it, more positivity. I hope Georgians get out there tonight and vote their butts off! I’ll think of them tomorrow when I hear our national anthem, however the election goes. OK … now I’m just rambling … LOL. Have a great night, Cheryl!
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I agree! And your “rambling” is right on! Fingers crossed for Georgia (and all of us).
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Just caught some intermittent news – looked good, but am immersed in job stuff right now, so will check a bit later. Take care.
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Ten joyful moments in 2020- A wonderful idea and I bet you can come up with a lot more than 10. Writing together on the blogosphere , sharing our stories, our thoughts and our moments. That is a huge joy to me for last year and I know it will be for this year as well. 💖
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Absolutely – sharing our blogging moments is definitely one of them. What amazed me in making that list is the range of feelings that came into the moments, even some bittersweet moments had joy. Perhaps no surprise in a year like this. Best in the new year to you, Pam!
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❤
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