Later
after the angels,
after the stable,
after the Child,
they went back...
as we always must,
back to the world that doesn't understand our talk of angels and stars
and especially not the Child.
We go back complaining that it doesn't last.
They went back singing praises to God!
We do have to go back,
but we can still
sing the alleluias.
**********
After the shopping and giving and receiving...
after the driving away and driving home...
after the cooking and baking...
after the Christmas cards and newsletters...
after taking down the Christmas tree...
after putting the ornaments back into the attic...
after the chocolate mint candy disappears from the shelves...
after Starbucks puts their red cups and big snowflakes away again...
after the after-Christmas sales are finished...
after the break from homeschooling is over...
after the complaining about the past...
after the worrying about the future...
after the wishing...
after the hoping...
after the mondo beyondo dreaming and list-making
after the praying...
after the tears...
after the sighs...
after the disillusionment...
after the disappointment...
after the missed opportunities...
after the broken promises to other and to myself...
after all of that...
after every single thing...
Later I will go back to normal life. to chores. to phone calls.
to appointments. to obligations. to class. to clinics.
to teaching. to studying.
to joy. to laughter. to journaling.
to telephone calls and books and gifts from distant friends.
to playing games together. to reading together. to eating together.
to our separate spaces. to our quiet spaces.
to our everyday, perfectly ordinary sacred spaces.
And in all of it, thru all of it,
before all of it, after all of it,
whatever "it" is,
I can still sing the alleluias. say "thanks be to God" over and over.
and remind myself that in the new year,
as in the year that is now ending,all shall be well.
yes. indeed.
all shall be well.
2 comments:
Every time I read something you have written, I think "wow, that is the best ever" ... only to be followed by yet another best ever.
Glad your holiday was a relaxed one. I, on the other hand, had the most frenzied ever. Five grandkids make me feel loved beyond measure, but wow, I just finish breakfast when someone is asking what's for lunch! Not to mention the shopping, wrapping, baking, meals, etc.
I guess it's all part of having a loving family and MY desire for perfection. It's priceless to observe the laughter and stories between a brother and sister who stayed in opposite ends of the house during their teens!
Thanks for the lift! Tricia
And all manner of things shall be well. :)
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