As we are immersed in holiday time, many folks are still scrambling to think of the perfect gift to give to family and friends. Colorful wrappings and ribbons that have already or will adorn boxes and bags, will be torn and strewn and then scooped up and tossed. This year instead of focusing on presents, the best gift to offer yourself and those you love, is your presence. I remember last year, sharing that same message, but this year it has even greater poignance. 2012 has been the year of Superstorm Sandy, a contentious election and the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut and the (as she rolls her eyes) apparently erroneous belief that the end of the Mayan Calendar meant the end of the world.  Not for a moment, did I think it was more than “the end of the world as we knew it”. At such times, we step up and take care of each other.  I vote for that,  all year long, how about you?

For such a long long time, I have found myself a member of  many overlapping soul circles, some in my immediate locale; the Philly area and others scattered world wide. In the past few weeks, I have been embraced literally and figuratively  by sweet souls in my home at the Annual Latke Party last weekend, as well as a Solstice gathering on Friday night at which we placed what it is we wanted to release from this past year into the Yule Log and then burned it. My friend Deva Troy says each year that the log literally feels heavier by the time it gets passed by each of us (about 40 people). Last night, I ventured 3 1/2 hours southward to visit Patti and Michael in Gaithersburg, MD who got married in Hawaii in September and since that ceremony was only attended by their immediate family, this was an opportunity for their family of choice to join together to celebrate both their marriage and the Solstice in our typical fashion. Alot of hugs, cuddles, snuggles, laughter and love were present in this house that we were all blessing with our presence. It had been a few years since I had gotten together with some and it felt like coming home. Time melted away as light hearted bantering ensued well into the wee hours. My head touched the pillow at 2:52 a.m. and blessedly I slept until 11:00 a.m. followed by brunch that included leftovers from the festivities. More laughter, love and snuggles ensued…how much of that can one woman stand?

When I consider my relationships, I feel enduringly blessed, especially when I remember that there was a time when these dear souls weren’t even on my radar screen. Even if we don’t see each other often, there is a comfort in knowing that they are out there, doing their life as I am, mine. Their friendship is a gift that keeps on giving. For that I am eternally grateful.

One of my favorite unconventional holiday songs www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MtgYLjv6cg  Christmas in the Ashram-Tom Prasado Rao and Cary Cooper