majokmindfuleating

This year we didn’t send Thanksgiving cards, our tradition that began in 2001.  That was the year we’d all suffered trauma to varying degrees.  When it got closer to Thanksgiving, I wanted to share what we were feeling and connect to others.  I’d also had my consciousness raised regarding close friends who did not celebrate the Christian Christmas.  Thanksgiving cards with letters just seemed right.   Each year, I tried to write something inspirational for our friends and family.  This year, I just wasn’t feeling inspirational.

As cards started arriving at our home, I felt the pull to try to resurrect my usual optimism.  I looked for that original letter, which I remembered having a theme of hope.  Alas, that one was not saved. But as I was browsing, I found a letter from several years ago that seems right for 2019.  The year that many of us don’t feel safe.  We feel isolated.  Many of us are suffering some kind of trauma.  And so here’s the substance of that letter, which may sound familiar to some of you who received it several years ago. . . .

I was listening to a podcast talking about a survey of children four to six years old regarding the subject of love.  The children were each asked what love meant.  One little boy, age six, said that when someone loves you, they say your name differently, and your name is safe in their mouth.  Simple yet profound.

This holiday season I want to focus on love.  Give it freely and give myself permission to accept love when offered.  My wish for you this holiday season, is to think about all of the people who keep your name safe in their mouth and those that you cherish as well.  I hope your list is long, and your mouth is full.