It doesn't feel festive now The coffee shop in The Greens has a pine scent and cozy corners Christmas decor and advent calendars emerge Our Christmas tree is up--with lights No ornaments yet It doesn't feel festive now On Saturday we watched cliched Christmas movies Yesterday we had gingerbread lattes I light peppermint, cinnamon, and pine-scented candles Frankincense and myrrh room spray are on the counter--ready for mirth I see, taste, smell, hear, and touch Christmassy things But sense it is not festive now. When fresh cranberries were in the store I put them into my cart, onto the conveyor belt, into my reusable bag Made a plastic transaction and put them in the car We rode the elevator together--home And I washed them I froze them--they lie in the freezer It doesn't feel festive now. Festive is not sad It's sad--I feel sad Lonliness accompanies me I feel overwhelmed Anxiety overtakes Anxiety is not festive now It robs presence, engagement--reality It lies--like
When we move to a new location (near or far away), we experience a season of transience. To borrow from horticultural illustrations: it takes us time to grow into new environments, become adjusted, and settle. As we settle, the older, most resilient roots and branches need extra tending, pruning, or care; whilst we wish for the newest shoots or sprigs to develop in an expedited manner so that we can get out of uprooted shock and into a new season of growth that leads to a harvest of sweet, good fruits. One of the fruits that takes the most time is the fruit of friendship. Uprooted people need connection through friendship just as much as those who have the advantage of staying somewhere many seasons, years--perhaps a lifetime! Connection and social support scaffold resilience and are vital for our holistic humanity and healthy growth! Growth cannot be rushed. In fact, friendships take time. Though there are exceptions, we generally feel closest to those we spend the most time with. How