When I was a newspaper correspondent traveling the world, writing about all manner of doings, a week at home was a rare time. I do believe I heard my children refer to me once as "Mr. May."
The constant travel was so deadening and disconnecting, I began a tradition of scheduling myself off from work the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day – partly because that was a slow news week. I would take the time to get reacquainted with my family and friends and to vegetate.
I called it the In-Between Week.
As years went by, that week took on greater importance; it has become not just a time to catch a breath and catch up with people but also a period of reflection, renewal and psychic massage – even though I don’t travel for a living anymore.
Looking back on a year can be exhilarating or brutally frank. In any case the week is a time to digest one year's goodness and badness, and savor the outlook for the next year. This is a time for asking: What did I accomplish during the year just gone by? What will I do differently in the coming year? Am I living the best life I can live?
Questions may come and go, but there is one constant: I resist using the In-Between Week for travel; a life of going has made staying home the perfect vacation.
Never ever have I felt any sadness as I waved goodbye to friends who stuffed themselves into cars and headed for out-of-town gatherings. Even those who fly off to balmy climes and luxurious homes and hotels inspire no jealousy.
No, the in-between week remains a time for winding down and gearing up, getting rid of some old stuff from the old year and getting ready for more stuff in the new one.
No resolutions though; that's an entirely different activity, one I dropped at about the same time I discovered that jogging was not nearly as much fun as a full cholesterol breakfast. So, this week, as I recover from over-feasting at the groaning board, I prepare to devour the smorgasbord that is 2012.
Peace.
LeeMaysGardeningLife.com
