Snow Globe Moments...

Chapter 1

She tucked herself into bed with a shiver sprinting down her spine. The air in her room felt a shade warmer than the frosty air outside. She clenched her fists and breathed out as another chill encompassed her while she adjusted her feet at the end of her bed that felt like a distant cousin to an ice cube. She tried laying on her back, but ultimately curled into a ball on her side and the covers engulfed her into a combined effort to stay warm. As soon as her body heat and the covers created a cozy cave, her mind settled and her eyes grabbed hold of sleep while her body melted into her dreamland. It felt like a second before her eyes then suddenly felt as though they were powered on again. It was a few moments before her mind was able to catch up to where she was. She felt warm, as though she was wrapped up in her favorite hug or among the tortilla of a Chipotle burrito. Her room felt insulated, as though beyond her comforter was a room that shared a conversation with the sun. Without moving her body, her eyes scanned her surroundings before they settled on her window staring at her from across the room. Outside appeared to be receiving a healthy dose of powdered sugar being shaken over the earth with a heavy-handed shake. It glistened as it fell from the sky and she felt her heart speed up in excitement for her morning that was now laced in cozy. Don’t get her wrong, it would be her typical morning routine, only now, it had the backdrop of a snow globe. She sucked in a breath, numbed her mind, threw off her comforter, and climbed out of bed.   

Chapter 2 

She had an impossible-to-deny love for the holiday season. The way outside felt drab one day then would be eloquently dressed in diamonds shimmering while it insulated the inside to encourage warm drinks, fluffy blankets, creamy soups, nostalgic Christmas movies, and cookie dough forming something almost magical in the oven sharing an aroma with the decorations glittering through the windows. Different traditions seeped through the walls of neighbors as they shared the holidays with their loved ones. Families gathered together spending more time with one another, couples lined the ice skating rinks hand-in-hand sharing glances that warmed their frosted cheeks. Grandparents suited up to assist the grandchildren in the proper techniques in the art of building snowmen. Older siblings would take part in the great explorations of the snow-capped hills that lay beyond their backyards plotting when to expose their true identity as a spy using their sleds as forts to shield them from the efforts of the young and less experienced snowball-making abilities. How mothers collected the snow pants, scarves, damp socks, and snow clustered jackets to exchange for blankets that had been basking in the warmth of the dryer as hot chocolate simmered on the stove. New parents swayed together while the jingle of bells in the Christmas music serenaded and assisted them to dance while they stepped into their parent's shoes watching their kids light up to the joys of this season. As a man with a crush smiled softly as the girl rested her head on his shoulder for the first time, as pointe shoes turned in a circle while snow cascaded down onto the stage to the tinkling sound of Snow. How the candlelight illuminated an entirely dark room while Silent Night was sung by the whole congregation on Christmas Eve, remembering the reason we celebrate. Those emotions flooded through her as this season rolled out the red and green carpet. It was a love that overtook her without permission, but also a love that left her lonely as she watched from her quiet home that she shared with the jingle of the bell on her cat's collar, the crackle of her fireplace, and the soft glow from her Christmas lights coiling around her tree.  

Chapter 3 

After her slow morning of hot tea, seven different layers of clothing, and a healthy dose of podcasts, she left early for work so she could drive slowly in the snow. There were at least three cars on the side of the road where a woman sat thawing in the passenger seat while a gentleman scraped off their windshield or exposed a path from their buried car as a shiver chanted through her from excavating her own car moments before. This season lit a nostalgic switch in her mind but also had the ability to hug her into a tight squeeze of loneliness. She knew she had people around her, but she always felt like a ghost of someone was missing. And as she walked into her office she allowed herself to sit in that feeling, but only for the ride up the elevator. Afterward, she would push herself to be in the present with her co-workers.

“I am thinking we need a few strands of Christmas lights in here.” She said walking into her boss's office with her coffee and schedule. 

“Someone had requested minimal Holiday decor this year.” Her boss said, standing behind her desk looking like the boss she was, file in hand and looking up only with her eyes. 

“Hmh so what are we talking? Like no lights an d no tree?” Sitting into her hip she rested her hand on both sides of her waist.

“We can have lights, just keep it more low-key and less…” She trailed off while setting the file down and did jazz hands before walking around her desk to stand in the doorway and observe. 

“They explained that this was a hard season for them, they lost a loved one a few years back and they love celebrating, but sometimes it could become overwhelming.”

“I can understand that.” She walked behind her boss whose arms were crossed over her chest, in a well-tailored blazer, as she leaned on the door frame, in her black boots, and gave her a gentle, warm smile. She felt like a big marshmallow melting into a cup of hot chocolate for her coworker - infused with compassion.

Chapter 4 

The Christmas season is a beautiful and exciting time of year. It is the only season that has an entire music genre dedicated to it. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and how He came down to earth to walk with us, and to save his people from sin like it says in Matt 1:21; “She will give birth to a son, and are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sin”. It is a time to celebrate with family and friends. To be generous and think beyond ourselves. But, it can also be a time of loneliness and heartbreak. It can be a reminder of someone we miss or lost or have yet to meet. We can occasionally feel like the Grinch, hiding from the season because it hurts to face it. Few let it consume them and others simply feel it lying underneath the surface, poking at them in their quietest moments. With time, patience, and remembering why we celebrate in the first place can help heal the hole that can occasionally appear, and once again find a love for all that this season encompasses. 

It is officially the Christmas season which means that there will be Christmas posts!! They are my favorite to write, but shhh don’t tell the others. I hope that this season is full of all the magical things that bring you joy. But, I also know that it can also be a time that stirs up a lot of emotions. You are not alone; in time it will begin to become easier. Have an amazing weekend! And happy December! Don’t forget to follow on Instagram, subscribe, share with someone, and let me know what you would enjoy reading about in the comments! Thanks for reading Allie-Cats!

• Dru Allie