Good morning, and happy Sunday. I’m Grace R. Reynolds, and by the time this is published, it will be Christmas Eve.
Last Saturday, my family visited the Holidays on Houston Street festivities in downtown San Antonio. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, as are most of our family outings. A lot goes into taking two littles out and about, so there’s always a twenty to thirty minute panic of making sure the kids are dressed weather-appropriate, the diaper bag is packed, and an adequate amount of snacks are shoved in all the nook and crannies of said bag. On top of that, I’m hobbling around on a dropped foot!
We had a lovely time despite the usual stress of getting a family of four out the door without forgetting anything (readers, things were forgotten as they always are). We started at Liberty Park and went down Houston Street to check out the live music and vendors. My only regret is not having more time to enjoy it all and buying a few Christmas ornaments painted in the style Talavera are painted in.
We’ve lived in San Antonio for three and a half years now, and I have to say it's one of my favorite places I’ve lived. It feels bittersweet to reflect on the last few years as our time here draws to a close soon. The sentiment “bloom where you’re planted” rings true. That’s corny to say, but unless you’ve picked up and go every few years, you might not appreciate that statement, as many of my friends, writers, and readers alike know.
The statement can be applied to other facets of life, too. As a writer, I occasionally feel frustrated that my skills may not be as developed as I want them to be. I’m sure many new writers feel that way. I like to think the seasoned veterans of the writing industry may have some similar thoughts with respect to their own writing or career. Perhaps not. That’s life, though!. We are continually growing, changing, turning our craft into something new, and looking back on the old to appreciate our works for what they were at that time. How brave we were to take those first steps to be the writer we wished to be and share our stories.
As a writer, I can appreciate where I am, where I’ve been, and where I’m going. If any of this resonates with you, I hope you can take a moment and pat yourself on the back. You’re doing the thing. Now, keep going.
For readers celebrating the holiday tomorrow, I hope you have a good day. A lot is going on in the world to be understandably upset about, but that doesn’t mean you are not allowed a moment of happiness or peace during this holiday season.
Merry Christmas, friends. Stay safe, stay spooky, and I’ll see you next week for some End-Of-Year musings.
-G
Merry Christmas to you and your family, too.