Holiday Happenings ...
Greetings all,
It's still the 25th of December in this hemisphere, a good half of the world is asleep, so I decided to write about what _this_ holiday season has meant for me ...
Our house decided that we would follow the old ways in addition to the standard traditions this year. On the 21st, I sat candle vigil from dusk until dawn of the 22nd. The traditional observance involves tending a good sized fire throughout the night, but that wasn't exactly an option around here. As we also don't have a fireplace, I decided to modify things a bit. At dusk I lit a rather large candle and then had other smaller ones and inscense available for others to light throughout the night. The only request was that as they were lighting either of them that they remember someone close to them that might not be able to share in the occasion. I lit candles for my parents and another one for the new friends that I have made over the past year. It was oddly humbling and very reverential to go through this process. It gave me time to think of nothing but the many good things and people that have happened in my life over the past year. It was a wonderful counterpoint to all the dreck I've been reminded of lately :-)
Whether by fate, fortune, or chance, this was also the eve of Yfandes' wedding to her Man. On the 22nd, she happily gave up her maiden name and became "Mrs". Prince was her witness, her Man's brother was the other witness, and I was the "official" photographer. The ceremony was simple and wonderful; a local JP officiated and the gathering was a small collection of close friends and Yfandes' true family. It was very peaceful to be surrounded by this small group who's only collective thoughts were of joy and wonder at this unexpected union. "Who woulda thunk ..." was an often spoken phrase thoughout the day :-) Afterwards, there was a small afternoon tea at our home - ham and chicken sandwiches, coffee, tea, and the MOST decadent chocolate cake that could be found. Poor Yfandes was trying to be both generous and fair in her slicing of the cake, which would have worked out better had she any affinity for spacial relationships. Each slice that she offered seemed to be larger than the last. It _was_ a good cake though; I just hope there was enough left to share with her new brother-in-law's family ... lol.
Prince was very much like the proxy "father of the bride". It didn't surprise me, but it was refreshing to see him let his "public face" down when he witnessed the ceremony. If all works out well, he and I will be having a wedding / union of our own next summer or fall. Yfandes will be my Best Maid and her Man will be in Prince's party!!! I also get to plan a full-on handfasting for Yfandes and her Man next spring. My career as a de facto wedding planner - cum - photographer - cum - party planner is getting off the ground quite will *g*. Move over Martha, now _I'll_ show you how it's done!!!
The other amazing occurence over these days was that Prince decided that he and I should exchange gifts on the night of the 21st. He felt that would be the only time that we were guaranteed to be alone together, which has been an ongoing difficulty for us over the past few years. We each managed to get the other _exactly_ what we each wanted without actually exchanging any specific requests beforehand. He recieved some books, a digital camera and all the accessories necessary to do something he's always enjoyed but never had the funds to indulge in before (it helped that most of what I got him was on sale at the time *g*). I received _very much_ needed painting supplies - canvases, paints, gesso, and brushes - in addition to a new book by Mercedes Lackey. The night was absolutely perfect and what we both needed. I loves my Prince!!!
The past couple of days have been filled with the occasional visitor to our home and bouts of unhurried cooking with our landlord; he spends most holidays with us as his partner works out of town and often picks up extra shifts during holiday seasons. All in all it has been a Yule filled with fond remembrances, peaceful pondering, thanks, and very good company. I couldn't possibly have asked for more!!
I wish all of you bright blessings, peace and the wonder of the Powers (as you see them) during this all-too-brief time of peace and goodwill. May you not only get what you want, but more importantly what you _need_.
Chorus
It's still the 25th of December in this hemisphere, a good half of the world is asleep, so I decided to write about what _this_ holiday season has meant for me ...
Our house decided that we would follow the old ways in addition to the standard traditions this year. On the 21st, I sat candle vigil from dusk until dawn of the 22nd. The traditional observance involves tending a good sized fire throughout the night, but that wasn't exactly an option around here. As we also don't have a fireplace, I decided to modify things a bit. At dusk I lit a rather large candle and then had other smaller ones and inscense available for others to light throughout the night. The only request was that as they were lighting either of them that they remember someone close to them that might not be able to share in the occasion. I lit candles for my parents and another one for the new friends that I have made over the past year. It was oddly humbling and very reverential to go through this process. It gave me time to think of nothing but the many good things and people that have happened in my life over the past year. It was a wonderful counterpoint to all the dreck I've been reminded of lately :-)
Whether by fate, fortune, or chance, this was also the eve of Yfandes' wedding to her Man. On the 22nd, she happily gave up her maiden name and became "Mrs". Prince was her witness, her Man's brother was the other witness, and I was the "official" photographer. The ceremony was simple and wonderful; a local JP officiated and the gathering was a small collection of close friends and Yfandes' true family. It was very peaceful to be surrounded by this small group who's only collective thoughts were of joy and wonder at this unexpected union. "Who woulda thunk ..." was an often spoken phrase thoughout the day :-) Afterwards, there was a small afternoon tea at our home - ham and chicken sandwiches, coffee, tea, and the MOST decadent chocolate cake that could be found. Poor Yfandes was trying to be both generous and fair in her slicing of the cake, which would have worked out better had she any affinity for spacial relationships. Each slice that she offered seemed to be larger than the last. It _was_ a good cake though; I just hope there was enough left to share with her new brother-in-law's family ... lol.
Prince was very much like the proxy "father of the bride". It didn't surprise me, but it was refreshing to see him let his "public face" down when he witnessed the ceremony. If all works out well, he and I will be having a wedding / union of our own next summer or fall. Yfandes will be my Best Maid and her Man will be in Prince's party!!! I also get to plan a full-on handfasting for Yfandes and her Man next spring. My career as a de facto wedding planner - cum - photographer - cum - party planner is getting off the ground quite will *g*. Move over Martha, now _I'll_ show you how it's done!!!
The other amazing occurence over these days was that Prince decided that he and I should exchange gifts on the night of the 21st. He felt that would be the only time that we were guaranteed to be alone together, which has been an ongoing difficulty for us over the past few years. We each managed to get the other _exactly_ what we each wanted without actually exchanging any specific requests beforehand. He recieved some books, a digital camera and all the accessories necessary to do something he's always enjoyed but never had the funds to indulge in before (it helped that most of what I got him was on sale at the time *g*). I received _very much_ needed painting supplies - canvases, paints, gesso, and brushes - in addition to a new book by Mercedes Lackey. The night was absolutely perfect and what we both needed. I loves my Prince!!!
The past couple of days have been filled with the occasional visitor to our home and bouts of unhurried cooking with our landlord; he spends most holidays with us as his partner works out of town and often picks up extra shifts during holiday seasons. All in all it has been a Yule filled with fond remembrances, peaceful pondering, thanks, and very good company. I couldn't possibly have asked for more!!
I wish all of you bright blessings, peace and the wonder of the Powers (as you see them) during this all-too-brief time of peace and goodwill. May you not only get what you want, but more importantly what you _need_.
Chorus