A Season for Love

Yesterday, we received our first measurable snow of the season, and it was enough to wreak havoc in the Washington DC area. I managed to sub for one class, but the two evening ones were canceled. I slowly made my way home to a warm house, to nurture the sudden winter cold I have developed for the first time in years!

Later this morning, I made my way down to the river which was mostly frozen and covered in snow. I could not tell where the water met the concrete of the boat launch, but in a few minutes I felt ice crunching beneath my feet, so I knew not to tread any further. Still, I watched while 3 guys carried their kayaks down to the launch area, donned dry suits and armed themselves with tools to cut through the ice. I considered that pretty risky behavior in my book, and told them to be careful...

Today, with eight days remaining until Christmas, the "O Antiphons of Advent," take center stage in the liturgical calendar and readings, which are very beautiful and full of hope...

Yesterday, I dug up some of my Christmas CD's, looking for ones I had not heard in a while, when I came across "These are Special Times" by Celine Dion. In this collection, one song stood out for me, which she co-wrote with Peter Zizzo, and Ric Wake. The lyrics were so appropriate, truly a bookend, or addendum to my last entry, on "Love Actually:"

Don't Save it All for Christmas Day

Don't get so busy that you miss
Giving just a little kiss
To the ones you love
Don't even wait a little while
To give them just a little smile
A little is enough

How many people are crying
People are dying
How many people are asking for love?

So Don't Save it All for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't Save it All for Christmas Day
Find your way
'Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...

How could you wait another minute
A hug is warmer when you're in it
And Baby that's a fact
And saying "I love you's" always better
Seasons, reasons, they don't matter
So don't hold back

How many people in the world
So needful in this world
How many people are praying for love?

So Don't Save it All for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give love everyday
Don't Save it All for Christmas Day
Find your way
'Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...

Let all the children know
Everywhere that they go
Their whole life long
Let them know love

Don't Save it All for Christmas Day
Find your way
To give a little love everyday...

May this season of Advent, of Christmas, of Hanukkah, of the coming Winter Solstice and Kwanzaa, and every day life, fill you will love. Open to it. Embody it. And then share it.