Inner Sanctum
Inner Sanctum
The Gifts of Winter
text by Carolyn Felderman
Soon after the New Year, I will occasionally wish to
be the bear in hibernation. To combat that feeling of
lethargy, I’ll turn the wintertime blues into
wintertime hues. I’ll take the gifts Old Man Winter
has brought to us—a chance for renewal, the beauty
of freshly fallen snow, spending time with friends and
family over the holidays—unwrap them, and enjoy.
None of these gifts are tangible or store-bought; rather,
they are gifts for the soul.
What does winter give? First, there is the anticipation
of a New Year. If you set only one goal to reach in
the coming year you have opened the door to abundance.
Welcoming the New Year with a positive attitude and
thinking of it as renewal makes for incredible possibilities.
Winter can drag on if you allow it. Savor the early
dark nights with reading a book by firelight, or staring
into the flames as they dance a waltz. Instead of watching
from the window as another snowfall begins, suggest
bundling up and taking a family walk out into the white
fairy dust —together. You will return with the
warmth of the experience wrapping you like a wool blanket.
Snow is another one of winter’s many gifts. When
was the last time you built a snowman? If you can’t
remember, perhaps it has been too long ago. For me,
I will always build a snow lady. I’m not sure
why, but it is my choice of gender unless there is enough
snow to roll both Mr. and Mrs. into being.
I’ll dress her with a shawl around her shoulders,
and find the gaudiest earrings and necklace I can give
her to flaunt with pride. If I catch a glimpse of my
elderly neighbor watching from her window, I’ll
wave and invite her over to place a “Sunday Best”
hat on Mrs. Snow’s head. Why? Because it is the
little things we do for others, such as including them
in our busy lives, which means the most and brings us
the greatest reward.
And of course, the winter season brings us the holidays
and a chance to reconnect with loved ones. In my home,
the holidays are a time to celebrate Christmas and Chanukah
with gracious family harmony. You need not be of the
same faith to sincerely appreciate that of another.
As I write I am content.
My halls are decked with boughs of holly, tins of cookies
are baked, and the lights on the Christmas tree are
twinkling.
A gingerbread house is finished and I could easily be
Gretel, breaking off a piece. But, I will wait to enjoy
the munching when the children come to visit. There’s
also a lovely menorah in the front window. To honor
my husband, who is of Jewish faith, we will follow the
sacred traditions of Chanukah as we enjoy friends and
the festival of lights.
So, I think I am ready, are you? I’ve reached
the point of taking a deep breath and letting it out
slowly. It is time to relax, slow down and appreciate
all that the holidays have in store. Family, friends,
food and fun are the gifts I like best during the season.
December is a month of hustle and bustle with preparations,
and then suddenly it’s over. The twinge of emptiness
that I feel as I pack away the tree ornaments will come.
I will overlook those stray, fallen pine needles in
the corner of the room, as they are merely a secret
present I leave there for myself to recall the joy of
the holidays.
All of us miss some of our friends during the holidays.
A call to say, “Soup’s on, come over for
dinner,” is a great way to keep it simple yet
nurture your friendship. To make soup night memorable,
make it a gift to your friends for the entire year and
actually wrap it. Try a collage for the outside of the
box, using little torn pieces of all occasions of gift
wrap from your gift wrap stash. If you should forget
an important event, they will remember the night you
broke bread together, sipped soup, and that memory will
be another gift to the heart.
Winter gives the gift of a slow pace, with new hope
and promise to realize. Spring will be here before we
know it if we appreciate what winter truly gives. Meet
me in the garden come springtime.
Until then, may good health and much happiness be yours.
Take all that winter has to give to you, unwrap it and
run with it, or sit quietly savoring the moment you
are in. May the warm cup you hold on a cold winter’s
night runneth over with blessings.
Carolyn Felderman is a Virginia Beach-based writer.
text by Carolyn Felderman
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