Good morning my dear ones.

Today’s post is short: I just wanted to thank you for being you!

I am lucky I have you: such kind and thoughtful readers. It makes putting my words out there – and my words are also my heart, my hopes, my secret wishes and petty thoughts, my disillusionments – so much more meaningful and enjoyable.

Hitting publish is like jumping off a cliff (every single time!) but then you catch me in a little net, and the net is, “I totally get that.” “Same.” “This really resonated with me.” “Brought tears to my eyes.” “This is hilarious and tragic and I love you.” “This one REALLY hit close to home.”

I share my heart with you, you share your hearts with me in return, and I’m astounded by the beauty of this!

Receiving your thoughtful feedback and your messages of “OMG, same” always makes me feel connected to all of you across time and space. We are a bunch of glowing dots on a globe and here is one more tiny connection point between all of us.

So thank you for being here and reading along!

This morning, it’s all quiet in my parents’ house. Christmas Eve and the tree is glowing with lights and ornaments. Outside it’s gray and rainy: 45 degrees and wet yuck. Inside, plans to make even more cookies, talk of one more grocery run for Christmas Eve dinner, small side discussions of what still needs to be wrapped.

The adult to child ratio is very strong at my parents’ house this Christmas: nine adults to one cute toddler. He has a bubbly laugh and likes to prance around the house giggling, hands behind his back, with as many adults prancing behind him as possible, follow-the-leader style. We all like to oblige him and can’t help giggling along. (I’ve written about this little guy before!)

The world feels like such a messed up place right now. It can be a relief just to focus on buying peanut butter for the peanut butter death ball cookies. Is that bad? To be insular, to turn inward? I guess we need breaks from it all – I know I am one of the lucky ones who has the privilege to take them.

The days seem quieter than usual because I’m off work and don’t have all the incoming pings from work, but also louder, because: Ninks.

But even when it’s loud, I can always find a quiet room to retreat to and I’m enjoying reflecting on this past year, journaling, reading,¹ and thinking about what I would like 2024 to hold.

That endless human impulse to plan, to think ahead, to tweak, to improve upon what we have in some small or big way. We are like a bunch of busy bees, even (or especially) during the shortest, darkest days of the year.

One thing I know is I will continue to grow this little project, this community, and that I will keep writing. I have big plans for my writing and I’m happy that you’re here with me!

(If you know someone who might like to join this community and read along, they can sign up here.)

Whatever holiday you might be celebrating this time of year, I hope your year’s end is full of light, some calm time, and unexpected blessings!

xoxo

Georgie

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¹ A John le Carré spy novel as usual; The Power of Fun by Catherine Price, and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. No matter how many times I read the latter, it’s still so good.