December 2009
Dear Friends,
As the holidays are nearly upon us a couple things come to mind, the first being, “Holy Crow! Another year is almost over?” I remember hearing my parents say that and I never really understood how quickly the time passes. Another consideration is that of tradition. There is something comforting about these rituals, like a guideline that keeps order in our lives.
My parents were Norwegian and we have a tradition in which the women all got together the Sunday before Christmas to make lovely delicacies such as Krumkaker and Fattigman. This consists of 3 generations of women in the family and friends. It has always been a fun time of sisterhood; the men watch football and hover looking for the rejected cookies that will never make it to a gift basket while we women are up to our elbows in flour [King Arthur 100% White Whole Wheat Flour, of course] and eggs. Just for fun we have a few shots…each one accompanied by a toast. And yes, this day has a name. It is called Shitten Sondag; I kid you not. I’m told it means Messy Sunday but I have not been able to find anything about this tradition in Norwegian history. I think my family made it up but we love it!
As time progresses, as it will and the family gains and loses members, things change but the tradition of Shitten Sondag has added continuity to our holiday. It’s so fun to say too!
Speaking of changes, I have added more information to my website to accommodate your questions in case I am unavailable. I will continue to include more useful information to The Healing Path website. I also have a new phone number. It is 610-381-8999; so please take note of this.
Back to Christmas…Sometimes I find it hard to get into the Christmas Spirit. Stores put out their Christmas goods right after Halloween; they start playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving and by the time Christmas arrives I can barely stand it anymore. Something that helps kindle the Christmas Spirit in me is to do a Christmas craft. There’s an energy generated when I make something myself that, puts me in touch with the Spirit of Christmas; shopping just doesn’t do it for me.
A friend of mine surprised me with a gift of a wreath-making class at a local farm. We laughed, clipped, wrapped, poked ourselves with pine needles and got full of sap. It was great and we came away with a lovely scented, fresh wreath to hang on our doors. Thanks Cora!
Have a joyous holiday and during this season of light, I wish, you for you the love of life, health of mind and body, physical and spiritual prosperity, the joy and fellowship of family and friends, the courage to point out injustice and the serenity of faith.
Thank you for being a part of my life and letting me serve you all these Years! Many Blessings!
Love and Light, Lori
