It’s posts like this that keep me coming back regularly – I definitely enjoy the snarky ones too – but posts like this touch my heart and remind me of all the good people in the world.

(((Shira))) you and your husband awe me – with all that you’ve been through (and I thought *I* had a bad year) you’re still thinking of others. May your goodness and caring come back to you 100 fold!

I vote for Muz’s moon quote to be the forum tag for a month!

:) to everyone here.

I also like Thornacious’ blog post on “Sucess v. Failure” and I think it echos this post in some ways.

Lovely post – Christmas is about inclusiveness, involvement and fun for me, and everyone deserves that, no matter what.

Actually, I’m agnostic, but I LOVE Christmas, for many reasons. I tend to feel (thinking seems largely unhelpful to me in spiritual matters, hence the “I dunno” agnosticism) that different religions and other types of belief sets get different parts of The Big Existence We Share right. Christmas gets it REALLY right according to my feelings/perceptions about existence. The fact that I’m both a folk musician and a birth junkie plays some part, I suppose. *grin* How could I NOT like a month filled with twelfth century,magical, world wide tunes about conception, pregnancy and birth being a miracle? It’s in my blood and bones.

(((Shira))) you are in my thoughts, and if there is anything I can help with (just lost my job, so money is out unfortunately) – clothes, a letter of reference, using the internet to hook you up with resources that may exist in your country/community, just email me at bumerry@gmail.com and I will do anything in my power to help. I’m a social worker who can accomplish virtually whatever needs doing on the internet. I found my best friend’s lost credit card that went missing at some unknown point during her honeymoon in London (we are in the US) in under an hour, called the cab company where it had slipped back in the seat gap, and had it overnighted to her by the cab company at no charge after cold calling them and turning on the charm. I’m just sure I could help you two out in some way, we can figure out details in email.

Carrying over from the AWESOME Aunt Fatty post (Thanks A Sarah! I loved it.) comment by (((Shinobi))):

Um, photoshopping your child in the family Christmas photo is really as abusive and creepy as it gets, in my book. First of all, I for one do NOT want my dad dwelling on my socially defined sexual appeal or lack thereof, let alone pimping it through “deceptive advertising” to friends, family and even strangers! Second, it shows thoughtless and abusive contempt for someone he’s supposed to love unconditionally. I am so sorry this happened to you. It does make for some vividly detailed and fun revenge fantasies on your behalf, though, if you don’t mind me indulging. :)

Despite everything, I hope that the holidays treat everyone well this year and Happy New Year’s to all!

To make sure even non-pagans get to celebrate Midwinter, they have invented a thing they call “christmas in July” so we get to do it twice a year if we want to. :)

Mind you, for us midwinter is so mild, it is not like we need to think about returning light and so on to cheer us up. Here in Western australia at least, winter is a time of green growing things and cool weather giving us lots of energy. We really do need the mid-december celebration time to keep us going through months of heat and dry, which is kind of like our death time just as winter is for you guys.

Love the moon quote, Muz, it is beautiful!

And best wishes to all for peace, joy, and not feeling beaten up by the holidays -

What about you folks in the Southern Hemisphere, though? I wish there was an austral-winter solstice holiday for you guys: I see friends in Australia and South Africa doing the lights and yummy food and gathering and presents stuff, but what about when it’s dark for you folks and you need a reminder of the warm, rich days ahead?

I suggest an Austral Yule tradition to celebrate the winter solstice below the equator. Those of us in the northern climes can be grilling outdoors while you guys are doing your thing with candles in the window…

Shira – I don’t feel it’ll ever be possible for me to thank sufficiently all of the people and all of the places – and SP is one of them – that have helped me to get better over the years. All I ever can do is pass it on – as and when I have the resources (emotional, physical, whichever) to do so. And I think that’s all anyone can do, really, and one of the best ways I’ve found to find those resources is to not beat myself up about it during the times when they’re not around!

Er, which is all a huge opinionated way of saying “you don’t need to feel like a failure!” And, um, from a stranger (possibly on the other side of the planet): good luck, and you inspire.

As, indeed, does Shapely Prose – so thank you, Sweet Machine, for this post, and thank you to Kate and Fillyjonk as well, and I’m only sorry I didn’t say it sooner…

AWESOME