One indisputable fact after a divorce is that your holiday traditions will change. This, my first year after the divorce, offers a chance to greatly simplify the holiday rush and turmoil. John is going down to be with his mother and I'm going back up to NY to try Christmas The Monastery Way.
http://www.holycrossmonastery.com/retreat-programs#dec23
We will then meet in PA later to spend some time with my mother, brother & sister and their families.
Why go to a monastery for Christmas? I'm not sure, but it seemed the logical choice. I wanted to be around people, but not someplace where I was going to have the divorce right in my face all the time. It felt right to let John spend this first year with his mother since her birthday is right near Christmas. Given that he would be gone, I certainly didn't want to be bouncing around the house alone all weekend. The monastery seemed to be a perfect way to spend the weekend without getting caught up in all the commercialism.
Before John left this morning, we did exchange a few gifts. I got a Kindle Fire and a reproduction of the Gospels and Acts from the St. John's Bible (a recently completed hand-inscribed Bible) - sort of both ends of reading technology. It's sort of interesting that I first encountered this Bible while up at the monastery a few months ago (wow, time flies).
It was a nice simple start to what I hope will be a nice simple (and relaxing) Christmas.
Come on up, George! The tree trimming doesn't start until tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Br. Bernard, OHC