By JIMMY LOWE
GLASGOW — There’s so much to do and enjoy during these 31 days that it seems to me, December could use more than the maximum period allocated to a month. I’d like to take a few days from the often sluggish March and add them to December’s number.
March has never been one of my favorite months among the year’s dozen. As the days travel through the year, March is that period when the calendar presses in the clutch and changes gears from winter to spring. Its winds often seem confused, coming this way and that, trying to decide just what to usher to us. I prefer a month that contains more consistency.
Maybe it would help if December weren’t so dark during most of its hours. More light would give us the illusion that its days are longer and encourage us to get more done.
Then, too, living where we do on this side of the sun, December’s temperatures are usually cold enough to lure us into hibernation.
Despite its busy, short, cold days, December is here with all its merriment. I’m happy to embrace these special times!
We have a variety of opportunities to celebrate with special days scattered throughout the year’s calendar. Our year gets underway with a day wherein we pause to evaluate our past and make resolutions for our future. Then there are days devoted to fathers, mothers, lovers, and important people and events from our history. There are even days to pull pranks and give thanks.
Individually, we mix into these holidays and observances, the birthdays and anniversaries and other significant days from our own families.
At our house, though, none of the other days are as anticipated and welcomed as that most fondly observed day in December, Christmas. For us, it’s the coziest time of year, and a time when our senses are most satisfied.
Inside the house we feel the warmth from the crackling blaze in the fireplace, as well as the warmth in our hearts from being surrounded by family and friends at Christmas.
We delight in the smells of the spices in the pumpkin bread and cider.
I always associate the Christmas season with the cold, creamy, smooth taste of custard, made even more delicious by dunking in sweet jam cake.
Our soundtrack of Christmas features cheerful songs, the giggling of grandchildren, and plenty of “ho, ho, hos!”
Our eyes behold vibrant reds and greens of the wrapped packages under a Christmas tree, topped off with decorations like the icing on that jam cake.
If I don’t have time enough to fully appreciate all the feelings, smells, tastes, sounds and sights of Christmas this December, I may try to store some for later — perhaps enjoy them in March while I’m waiting for the songbirds to sing of spring.
