the difference between going back and going home.

hmmm the holidays. a tricky time, indeed.

on one hand, its a time for family, friends, assorted loved ones, christmas songs, tree and dreidel (?) shaped cookies, stockings, freezing weather outside, tons of eat-ables in the office, shopping crowds, etc.

on the other hand, its a time for reflection. who is here to spend it with you, who is not. i pass the homeless on the street and yearlong, i feel bad. but i especially feel bad during the holidays, when it is so bright and cheery outside and all around them, yet there they are, not a soul in the world to care about. its such a juxaposition that shouldn't be happening.

in terms of "going home for the holidays", the dilenma that a lot of people have as they grow older belongs to the title of this here blog- when does your home change and how? i've lived on my own for a few years.. is my mom's house still my house? she's in a new one since I moved out, so technically, I've never lived there before. but she's my family and i can live there anytime i want/need to, but is it my house? "home is where the heart is" but my apartment has been my home for years now. when i come home at the end of the day, i feel like i AM home. when did that change? when does it change between just visiting your family or going home to see them?

i think everyone should use the holidays as a time to realize just how much they have and to know that it is enough. you have love in your life, that's brilliant. you have family and friends, consider yourself blessed, no matter who is missing. with love in your life in any form, you're never alone.

volunteer this season. spread some cheer. knit something rad and donate it to a women's shelter. a homemade gift can make them feel thought about again, regardless of who made it. too many people will be alone these holidays.. do your part to keep the number as low as possible.

and decorate your home as rad as can be :)