The eve

Ahhhh, the anticipation. Christmas Eve. The halls are decked. The cookies are baked. The candles are lit. The gifts are wrapped. The fireplace is stoked. I know I’m not alone in saying it’s my favorite night of the year.

Yesterday I received a holiday card with these beautiful, truthful words.

Don’t Hesitate

by Mary Oliver

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. No matter what or who you celebrate tonight, let there be light.