Decidedly December
Do You Feel It? Warm Wishes for Joy and Peace in December Come From the Heart
Holiday greetings signal it’s December
We hope December cheer stays with you all next year. And joyous songs and art long linger in your heart. That every loved one’s hug keeps you warm and snug. And as the year turns new your wishes will come true.
In a world where polarization and antagonism have left a heavy mark, the sound of people’s voices as they wish each other joy and peace is heartwarming. For me, these cheerful words are an unmistakable sign that we’re well into the month of December.
Some people find happiness in mailing out store-bought cards to express holiday greetings to family, friends, and business associates. Many families enjoy typing a holiday letter to update others about their lives, or design postcards filled with photos of themselves. These are not my favorite options. The messages in store-bought cards express someone else’s thoughts, and the letters and postcards tend to be self-centered.
Another option is to create a holiday card — or embellish a store-bought one—and write an original poem or prose on it. This year, for the first time, I drafted a short poem and handwrote it on manufactured cards which I mailed to friends and extended family. My poem is unashamedly corny and similar to messages that appear on store-bought cards, but it feels more meaningful because it came from my own mind and heart.
Next year I vow to invest more effort into writing a special poem, and may even create an artistic image on the front of the card.
Writing my poem on holiday cards this year, to express wishes for the well being of people who matter in my life, felt authentic and decidedly December. If you’ve never done this, consider giving it a try. You just may feel it too.
This post was inspired by the Decidedly December writing prompt from Paper Poetry. Sincere gratitude to Indubala Kachhawa for sharing this wonderful prompt. Many thanks to Suntonu Bhadra, Carolyn Hastings, and Indubala Kachhawa for this delightful publication.
Inviting Ann Christine Tabaka, Josie Quinn, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), and Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles to respond to this challenge before it expires on December 31st.
