Remembering the dreamlike wonder of December

An oldie but goodie piece + writing prompt + small business gift ideas

Dear Community,

Thank you so much for your continued support. It is a true honor to show up in your inbox each week, knowing that you take time out of your busy lives to connect in this way.

Today, I am sharing a refurbished piece. One that I love and hope you do too! It is a piece I wrote a few years ago; a few of you may be familiar with it.

I have been reviewing and upgrading some of my older work this past year. It's been fun to go back and see the shifts, changes, and progress in my writing.

Like anything we practice, our skill and craft refine and expand. It is always worth going back, tracking, and reflecting.

This will be my last letter of the year, as I am taking time and space away from showing up in your inbox each week. My body, heart, and creativity need rest. I hope you, too, will find time in the next couple of weeks to take something off your to-do list to create more space for yourself, even if it is a tiny bit.

At the end of this letter, you will find last-minute gift ideas from small business owners that I love should your heart desire.

I wish you a healthy, easeful, and joyous holiday.

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I remember the aromatic anticipation of December.

I remember decking the halls and beautifying our home with bustle. 

I remember our home shimmered with small, medium, and large-sized ceramic, plastic, or wooden stout, jolly, white-bearded Santa Clauses dressed in red trousers, coats, and hats lined with silky white fur, black leather belts, and boots. 

I remember the festive tea towels with snowman embroidery, the unscented wax Santa and Caroler pair candles that never burned, and the plastic vintage Empire blow mold snowman with a wreath cheerfully lighting the corner countertop of our downstairs bathroom.

I remember the beloved snowman made of stoneware snowballs piled on each other, hand painted by my mom with traditional coal eyes, a carrot nose, a devilish grin, and a top hat with a hidden hand behind his back, holding a pure peppermint red and white striped candy cane.

I remember the staircase garlanded with commemorative Macy’s premium plush teddy bears gifted each year from my Auntie Birgitta and bright red velvet bows. 

I remember the freshly fallen snow look of our synthetic dust-frosted flocked Christmas trees and how the faux snow stuck to the ornaments year after year.

I remember our classic dark green trees, the strong scent of fir and pine, and the rich and friendly fragrance that reached from room to room.

I remember boundless boxes of memorable ornaments and the expression of joy when I pulled out each one and placed it on the tree, proclaiming, "This is my favorite one."

I remember the tiny tree in the front entry hallway devoted to playful cat collectibles.

I remember the teeny-colored twinkle lights and trinkets that occupied the faux tree kept private in my bedroom on my second-story windowsill.

I remember dancing from room to room to the tune of the familiar voices of Nate King Cole and chestnuts roasting on an open fire as Jack Frost nipped at our noses and how Bing Crosby delivered a dream of a white Christmas.

I remember making sugar cookies with our cookie cutters molded of Christmas trees, angels, gingerbread, snowmen, and holiday bells frosted with pastry bags and piping tips filled with green and red icing and crowned with sweet sprinkles.

I remember our classic peanut butter cookies smooched with milk chocolate Hershey Kisses.

I remember not enjoying unwrapping the silver foil of each Hershey Kiss.

I remember the magical annual animation of 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,' the Christmas TV special with puppets, LED light bulbs, misfit elves, and Gene Autry.

I remember when Mom shared how I brought joy to my father's birthday that blessed Christmas Eve day in 1979.

I remember the birth story that claimed my name, tears twinkling in my father's brown eyes, asking if I could be named after his mother.

I remember the orange tabby kitten I got for my 6th birthday and how he fit perfectly in my palms and smelled wholesome, warm, and kind. I named him Claus.

I remember my mom retelling me how, when I was little, I would ask if people put Christmas trees in their homes to celebrate my birthday.

I remember my mom planning the best birthday parties, complete with crafts at the kitchen table and sleepovers, and how my girlfriends and I would make forts from sleeping bags on the brown oversized couch.

I remember the year we went to the indoor ice rink and how I glided across the ice surface on blades.

I remember the festivity and freedom I felt cruising the roller rink at Golden Skate in San Ramon. The dedicated 1975 décor petite party rooms lined wall-to-wall with gaudy carpet, the arcade that bordered the rink, the recognizable music blasting through the speakers, and kids spinning and holding onto the wall for dear life.

I remember the birthday cake fashioned like a high-waisted vintage hoop gown with a plastic doll front and center.

I remember going to Boswells Party Supplies to pick out assorted colorful wooden pencils, decorative puffy sticker sheets, and small plastic toy surprises to stuff inside my pliable parting goodie bags.

I remember going to my Uncle Roberts, my godfather, and Auntie Birgitta's home in San Francisco on Christmas Eve. The magnificent hope chest my Uncle Robert made with his skilled hands and generous heart of wood and lined with cedar, and the lamp shaped like a shoe in the letters D-I-N-A.

I remember the magic and the brilliance of bright lights and sequins embellishing the buildings and billboards of downtown San Francisco. 

I remember watching the sky for Santa and his reindeer and sleigh full of presents.

I remember having difficulty falling asleep and waking up before dawn.

I remember anxiously waiting for my parents to stir with my brothers at the top of the staircase. 

I remember the collection of vibrantly wrapped boxes under the Christmas tree.

I remember the newborn baby I dressed in my baby clothes and Cabbage Patch Dolls I would take everywhere.

I remember my legendary 1989 Mattel Barbie '57 Chevy with turquoise cover and cotton candy pink core that my father put together.

I remember the year I got a Schwinn Fair Lady Bike trimmed in holiday rose and topped with a floral woven basket.

I remember my childhood home, 2374 Benham Court, and playing with our neighbors on the misty morning of Christmas, showing off our latest pogo sticks and treasures.

I remember the tradition of family dinners with my cousins and how my mom and Aunt would rotate the holiday dinner each year on the 25th.

I remember the famous "stair" picture of the six cousins on my aunt's narrow wooden staircase and how we no longer fit as neatly every other year as when we were little.

I remember the holiday season as pure and perfect, loving it more each year.

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Santa, Claus, and me

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Writing Prompt

Begin each line with “I remember.”

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Grab a pen and paper or your favorite journal. Use the prompt as a place to start.

Set your timer. Write for 15 minutes, pen never leaving the page. See what words flow. If you are unsure where to begin, begin with "Here is what I know today," and repeat it until more words pour from the tip of your pen.

I would love to hear about your experience. Hit reply to share or leave a comment.

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Small Business Gift Ideas

1. Give the gift of Yoga. I have been practicing with Erin Cookston for a few years and am a devoted member of her online Yoga membership and community. Erin's Members Area is a monthly Yoga experience with updated weekly videos, a wellness blog with recipes and poems, themed practices, and more. Give a gift membership to yourself or someone you love! You can learn more about Erin by visiting her Artful and Alive website and purchase a gift card HERE.

2. Give the gift of herbal body oils or a luscious Ayurvedic body treatment. I have been using Alex's body oils and love the nourishing way they feel on my skin and their soothing effects on my nervous system. Each batch is homemade with intention and care. To learn more about Alex and Ayurveda or purchase an oil or gift card, visit her website at Wild Hart Ayurveda.

3. My dear friend and teacher Monique Parker is an extraordinary artist and teacher of Vedic chanting and yoga therapy. Her wisdom and art bless my home and heart with her Sacred Art and teachings. You can visit her website and Etsy shop for unique gift ideas, Original Paintings, poster prints, Goddess Notecards, mugs, and more.

4. Give the gift of inspiration, wonder, and magic. Share the gift of my book Wild Horse, Wild Heart! A tiny book complete with personal stories, writing prompts, and practices. You can purchase the book online from retailers like Amazon or Bookshop.org. If you would like a signed copy for yourself or a loved one, please reply to this email, and I will happily mail one to you personally!

5. Give a gift subscription to Through the Lens! I’m offering 20% off all annual subscriptions for the holiday season. As a paid subscriber, you directly support my weekly writing and prompts and receive a 10% discount on writing workshops. As a special, I am also offering 1-hour Dream Analysis coaching session with me!