Here in the season that proscribes merriment, how does one go about being merry?
Is it a posture? Do act as if we are merry until we feel merry?
I wonder if the mere words "Merry Christmas" create dissonance for people who can't get to merry for whatever reason. Does it make them think there is something wrong with them for feeling less than merry?
I suppose it is like saying "Happy Birthday." It is a wish of goodwill. A love-filled hope for the merriment and happiness of our fellows.
What does it feel like to be merry? Laughter, smiles, joy in the company of friends and family.
Many of those are missing in this never-ending season of COVID sheltering.
And yet I felt merry in the connections over FaceTime and Zoom. Just seeing my family made me laugh.
This year I decided to face the day newly with few expectations of connection at all. I setup one video call with my mother to make sure I would have company. I decided to be merry in my own way alone. From there, each phone and video call was an unexpected surprise that brought delight. The unexpected gift of rain. I feel the new beginning. I feel hope. And I feel merry.