Merry Merry Quite Contrary...

Today was another magical Kim day. Things that happened seemed like they just happened for me. And by things I mean snowflakes. Wet, slushy ones. They stuck together well indeed on our taught green lawns of Seattle. Thick mosses were cold and icy and white tipped. It was even quite festive to see crystalline holly berries huddling together under flakes of frozen rain. And to be honest, I needed that special feeling of a White Christmas just for this day.

Last night I wandered through the Medrona (read: affluent Lake Washington overlooks and million dollar homes) neighborhood just up the hill from me and piped holiday tunes through my iPod earplugs. A short while later I was whipping up sugar cookies in perfect assembly line style while swooning over you-know-who in It's A Wonderful Life in all his handsome greyscale glory. It was an excellent diversion from missing my friends and family back home. I felt for a moment like I was surrounded by a manifestation of my old holiday spirit back in Minnesota. It was sweet and happy. It was sigh worthy at moments - perhaps fueled by the Pinot Noir bought in conjuncion with three curry kissed somosas at a deli that happened to still be open after dark on Christmas eve. They were so filling I could only eat two.

This morning I woke up feeling no change. Sensing no spirit. No unhappiness or self pity underneath the empty, but just like any other Tuesday. The general consensus seems to be many of us felt this way today. Whether I was two hours away or not, no matter, my brothers, my friends, many of us were flying solo today. And when the temperatures here obliged, I was able to feel like we were sharing not only a quiet day called Christmas, but the same environment too.

Ok ok ok, so the actual accumulation was insanely imbalanced. I see that. And at this point I would like to mention that I am in no way equating my 1/4" of white stuff with that 10x as high back in the area codes that own 612, 651 and 952. I understand my delight is answered louder with groans and complaint, car accidents, and fishtailing back home. But oh golly, how much I was taken away with glee when I saw it come my way for just a few hours. The clouds connected us today. It made me yearn for another walk through the sidewalks of Seattle.



And as the trees dumped thawing clumps of water into that annoying space between your neck and your sweater neckline, I realized how much I simultaneously needed the snow to feel at home now, but hated the cold. It was a good match. Firm and fair in its moral to me on this day celebrating Christ's birth. The sound of slushy puddles taught me well today. A story well worth remembering and living through. An experience worth adding to a life lived. And exactly why I needed to move in the first place. Even through the pain and countless people missed, this is what widdling out a new chapter is about. Next year I can't wait to see what happens. Another miracle I'm sure.

Wishing you small miracles that seem custom tailored...

Love love love, (and ho ho ho)

K.