The turkey has barely chilled in the fridge and the onslaught of Christmas is upon us. Well…ok, retailers have been working on us since before Halloween. But I keep my blinders on till Turkey Day is behind us, at least.
Holidays….the minefield of grief. This is my third Christmas since Mr. Virgo died. I was still really numb on the first one. I remember thinking I couldn’t wait for the ball to drop on New Year’s Eve because that meant I could say “he died last year”. As if that made the whole mess any better. It was just a line in the sand I couldn’t wait to cross.
Last year wasn’t much better. My aunt and I had a parting of the ways last year on Christmas Day that sent me in a whole new direction. While it has worked out for the best all the way around, it was quite painful to go through at the time. This year I’m going to spend Christmas in Colorado so it’s going to be SO much better. I’m focusing on family fun!
Thanksgiving was easier this year as well. I told a couple great Mr. Virgo stories. They made me smile. I had my moment later on when I was preparing for bed. I just flat out miss him and not having him here has changed me, and my life, and the way I see the world, and the way I relate to other people. At the same time, life is so beautiful and delicious. It’s all about the journey…the good and the not so good. This is my story. This is my life. Every day is a new page in my book, quite literally.
Today is Black Friday. This year I’m doing something different. There is a movement being promoted by REI to opt out of the Black Friday shopping madness (something I never do anyway) to spend time in the great outdoors. Since I have become affiliated with the Girl Camper podcasts as their correspondent, and…since Girl Camper is produced by RV Family Travel Atlas, I’m going to post my outdoor pictures tomorrow tagged with #rvftaOptOutside.
I don’t mind skipping Black Friday at the big box stores. But I am ever faithful to Small Business Saturday. Small businesses often depend on their holiday sales to carry them through the early months of the year in order to survive. Having been a small business owner myself, I encourage everyone to support the little independent businesses in your neighborhoods.
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I spent it with my cousin’s family up on North Mountain and I’m telling you what…these people are entertaining, to say the least. There were toddlers up to a great-grandma. I told stories about Mr. Virgo and I felt the love of family. It was a good day.
I’m hitting the open road today. If you are traveling, do drive safely. We need you here!
❤️
“So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.”
Genesis 13:18 NIV