Christmas Eve Airport Realizations.

I was stuck in the Denver Airport for many hours today as I waited while my flight was delayed again and again and again.

I started to write down some of my observations, and I'd thought I'd share.

1. Men wearing Ugg boots is difficult to pull off -- though I think it's just ugly enough that if it were pulled off right, it would be brillant.

2. I love Asian style. Layers. Odd combinations of patterns. Breaks the Western 'rules'.

3. There is a fantastic comradere here today. It's us against them -- travelers against post-blizzard madness... long lines... airport personnel with a Grinch spirit. People celebrate together at the little victories - seat assignments...making it through lines...shorter security waiting times.

5. Overall, being at the Denver airport today really brings out the HEIGHT of Denver fashion - I've seen more clogs, mountain man shoes and half an inch too short jeans than one girl can stomach. (I realize the following two things - #4 is missing -- A girl must keep some secrets. And 3 of my 5 realizations so far were fashion related. I'm sorry. It's just how I am.)

6. I think I just saw Napelon Dynamite's twin ... green pastel 80's shirt, tight stonewashed jeans... carrying a box with a 9 ft. inflatable snowman for the front yard.

7. It's pretty interesting to see couples that are drastically different and wonder if they were always that different or if their slight differences took over through time.

8. There is a woman a few rows over with crazy hair -- like a swimming cap covered with rabbit fur - or maybe it's just her natural hair. I can't tell. I think this is a problem.

9. I like the idea of leg warmers over pants in some situations (note - Asian girl walking by tried this and it worked well. See #2)

10. Musically, in just a few hours, I've craved Three Six Mafia, Sufjan Stevens, Van Morrison, RJD2 and Ray LaMantange -- I like this about myself.


Merry Christmas all.

Working on liking poetry...this one hits me....

She who reconciles the ill-matched threads
of her life, and weaves them gracefully
into a single cloth –
it’s she who drives the loudmouths from the hall
and clears it for a different celebration

where the one guest is you.
In the softness of evening
it’s you she receives.

You are the partner of her loneliness,
the unspeaking center of her monologues.
With each disclosure you encompass more
and she stretches beyond what limits her,
to hold you.

-Rainer Maria Rilke

The Reason for the Season.

That phrase has always really bugged me. It seems like people are throwing in your face, like if you enjoy Christmas trees, presents or egg nog that there is something wrong with your soul. So I've never been one to put much stock in repeating it.

Really, Christmas was never a huge deal in my house. Sure, we had our presents and time with family... but I was an only child, only grandchild on my dad's side for awhile, and way younger than all my cousin's on my mom's side. So I've never got super crazed about Christmas.

Not much changed as an adult. Maybe the problem is that I feel like Christmas somewhat exploits the things that I already love. Like, giving presents. I LOVE to give presents, and assure people that I think about them when they aren't around...that I know what they might like...tha I love them. Then there is this holiday where everyone is forced to do it for everyone. It loses a good chunk of the meaning for me.

Or songs about Jesus. I like my fair share of songs about Him. But, there is something odd to me that for a month or so, it's everywhere -- a whole radio station changes to just be Christmas music...it's in every department store....all the sudden I'm hearing theology in the form of a song while I'm picking out my toothpaste. And I don't mind that for ME...but something in me gets sad that it's just a familiar tune that can be blocked out for the most of society.

Now, before you decide that I'm a total bah-hum-bug -er, I need to mention that this year, I officially got in the Christmas spirit last night. Something about Frank Sinatra's Christmas tunes turned something over in my soul. And I'm really really really excited about the idea of Christmas this year.

There's something of childlike anticipation that I want to recover. Little kids can't wait to open up their carefully wrapped packages...they stay up all night, just imagining what will happen when the sun rises. And as cheesy as it sounds, I think that it falls in line with "The Reason For the Season" junk.

I want to know what it was like to anticipate Jesus and have him show up on the scene all the sudden. I want Him to show up like that every day in my life.

And maybe that's what I'm so excited about this Christmas. Anticipation.

Maybe this will be a pretty great Christmas.

Sometimes I feel like I'm dying and becoming more alive at an equal pace.