Hey, you okay out there? Yes, you.
A strange email with the smallest little ask...
Hi and happy Friday…
It’s a weird year, isn’t it? Where I live, indoor gatherings are limited to immediate household only. Christmas included. The only exception is for people who live alone. They may join one other household as long as there are fewer than 5 people.
Stores are at 25% capacity and even outdoor gatherings may not exceed 10 people and they must social distance. It’s going to be a strange and quiet holiday season here.
Children have been assured that Santa is exempt. I am glad I don’t have to explain that to my kid. She’s grown up now. Honestly, I’d probably tell her Santa got the very first vaccine. If you have little ones, you’re welcome.
Amid all this — someone decorated the forest.
Where I live, there’s a nature trail that runs about 50 miles in length (80km) winding under bridges, along the river and through the forests. My daughter and I walk there often. It’s so lovely. Truly it is. Walking among the trees, but you can see the river on one site, with geese and ducks that stay for the winter. Splashing in the water.
Someone hung ornaments along the trails. Not a ton. More like a treasure hunt. Walking along, you’ll see them now and again. Red and gold baubles shining in the trees. Just when you think you’ve seen the last one—oh!—there’s another!
And bird feeders everywhere. Not store bought. Crazy home made feeders. It made the trail feel magical. Christmas ornaments in the trees and chickadees flitting around everywhere, singing merrily. Chick-a-dee-dee-dee.
Some people are really struggling.
One guy quarantined elf on the shelf. Said he’s just too tired for the antics. The pics were hilarious. There it sat, under an upside down jar. The kids weren’t nearly as upset as some people on Twitter, apparently. It made me laugh.
One woman said she can’t decorate a tree this year. Just can’t.
I wished I could take her to my forest so she could stand in front of a 20 foot pine tree with red baubles hanging half way up and just marvel at it together. The trails are maintained by volunteers. Someone did that for everyone else’s joy.
I guess in a way, it was their joy, too.
Sometimes, you have to look for magic where you least expect it or even just wherever you can find it. Because it’s not in the usual places. That’s what this year feels like.
Most of all, I notice that it’s been quieter everywhere.
Many of the faces I used to see daily at Medium are there less often. A few have been absent a while. People are kind of overwhelmed. Nothing feels like it’s supposed to.
And it made me wonder about you, too. Yes, you. How are you doing?
Would you leave a comment and let me know?
It would mean a lot to me.
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
—Roald Dahl
What I wrote this week…
A Talented Illustrator Explores the Life of Van Gogh in Comics
An American Dies Every 40 Seconds. Stay Safe (personal, but trigger warning)
Miracle on 22nd Street. 450 Letters to Santa Arrived At Their Apartment.
Thanks for reading. If you’re reading in email, click the title to leave a comment. If you enjoyed this, click the heart to let me know or just to say thanks. :)
xo,
Linda
Thank you for the uplifting writing. It's encouraging to see so much positivity in the comments. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Look for magic, that's a perfect ask. It's everywhere, if you look for it.