Homegrown

By Stephanie Stevens

It is 7:34 a.m. December 22 as I write this.

I can hear the clitter clatter of my husband making breakfast for himself and our houseguest KP. I need a bit more time to wake up before eating or talking.

It is a tacit, sometimes not so tacit, rule in our home that no one talks to me for the first half hour after waking. The caffeine buffer zone takes a little time to establish.

I have a list of things to do before Christmas Eve, which is when 16 people will gather in my little home to fete and celebrate togetherness. And that is what it is all about for me.

Christmas is something different to us all. And that is okay. To bring strife into the season by arguing its origins defeats the purpose of all beliefs.

So for me, it is togetherness. My table will be filled with family, though only one member is actually related to me by blood. Family of my heart. And that family is ever expanding.

I feel so blessed to have so much love to give, and even more blessed that is comes back to me so readily.

Every year, there are families that are heading into this season after having to say goodbye to a loved one. This year is no different. And every year there are families who have very little, lean times making it tough to lay that table or decorate a tree. This year is no different. And every year, there are people who are alone, and have no table to go to. Again, this year is no different.

So while I am looking forward to my gathering, I am cognizant of those others, aware they are all around us. Hearts feeling broken or alone or poor. I have been in all three of those places. And it makes me that much more grateful for all I have, and reminds me to always have the extra place ready for anyone who might need it.

I have seen such strength in so many. I have watched one family in particular, new to our valley, who has had a horrible year, a situation beyond their control creating a financial horror story they are still working their way out of. But the strength they have displayed, the coming together, the hard work of all of them to get through this, and the constant message of love, hope and pulling together has been incredible.

With the Christmas season coming up, rather than bemoaning they could not buy gifts, they began to make gifts for one another. When it got to the point of potential hunger for this family of nine a couple of months ago, and a feeling of fear entered their hearts, they finally did reach out to our community, and our community reached back. Cupboards were filled without question or expectation of payment, replacing that fear with the knowledge they are home and giving them the strength and determination to work even harder as a family to get through this low. Even more vital than the items donated was the warmth and love it was donated with.

Darrah and her family are now part of mine. And they may not have a hundred store bought gifts under the tree. But they will have gifts they have made themselves, have full tummies, and full hearts, knowing they have love, knowing we are behind them, knowing there are better days ahead. The best gift they have received is to know they are home.

It is a simple thing… to set an extra place, invite one more heart in. There is always room for one more. That is the best gift in my mind; to open your home to someone feeling alone. To make sure they know they are there because they are wanted there, they have a place.

If you can afford to buy an extra gift, or have the talent to make one, if you can afford to give a little time, a few extra decorations, to expand your family, I encourage you to do it. Not just at Christmas, but for any calendar celebration, or any non-calendar celebration. Those happen every day.

Yesterday was the Solstice. On the way up to feed some hard working tummies, the sun rose and washed gold over the land before me, glowing with promise, warming the snow laden branches, lighting my way, lighting my heart.

I was once again awestruck at that beauty as it filled my heart and soul with renewed hope. That gentle, precious gift of light.

Fill your heart with light this season, no matter how or what you celebrate. Breathe deep of the hope for warmer, easier days ahead.

Merry Christmas darlings. And Blessed Be, every one.

– Stephanie Stevens is a former journalist and rancher in the Columbia Valley

Article Share