The Holidays Season

Day 252 – We are celebrating our New Year tomorrow night. Since it is not the Gregorian calendar it was never really felt when I lived abroad. We made sure to have a festive dinner with family and friends but, when we stepped outside life was going on as usual. I had to excuse my kids every year from school for that day, since it was in session. So moving back to my country brings with it one more very special thing – the holiday is everywhere. Stores have special sales, and the malls are bustling with activity as people are buying gifts and a lot of food. At work we had special all hands meeting to toast for the New Year and everyone you know calls and wishes for a happy new year. It feels so nice to be surrounded by love and warmth of the holiday season, something long forgotten. It took me a while but I finally got caught up in the buzz and I went looking for presents for my loved ones. I am still only at the beginning, but I am part of the crowd and it makes me feel so good. I am weaving my heart strings into those of the people around me, into this wonderful place I chose so many years ago to leave behind and had to do a full circle to be able to stand here today and say –

I am thankful beyond words to be back here in my country. I am thankful to be part of the web of life here. I am thankful for this coming holiday that for the first time feels so much like home for me. I am thankful for a full year I lived here and loved every minute of it.