The Love Month

I look at the month of December as one long festival, a deserved liberty to celebrate our past year’s achievements, as well as our challenges because they no doubt made us stronger, while growing our resolve.

Over the year I’m sure many of you rewarded yourself by taking the incidental long lunch at work, a personal day here and there, called out sick, vacationed and even did the occasional happy hour with friends, as you should.

However, I see this month as a bonus to our year’s allowance, a time to really let our hair down and be still long enough to enjoy a season devoted to love, happiness and peace with friends, family and coworkers. This truly is a period to acknowledge the meaning of life and the purpose in each of us, giving the ultimate thanks to anyone who will listen for the bounty of good will bestowed upon us in 2011 (and for those who say, “That’s what Thanksgiving was for” – You should know that was only the warm up to the true holiday season).

For some, this is your opportunity to bring closure to the unfortunate - friendships that went sour, a lover’s quarrel, a family feud, etc… attempting to rebuild, grow and preserve what just might be your best assets in the new year. I’m no fool because not all fences can be mended, and one must weigh the pros and cons. (Take heed to protect your interest first, maintaining your stability, and the fortress, which is your heart.)

For others, this is the perfect time to reaffirm your commitment (your loyalty) to those who bring beauty to your world day after day, consistency you have come to rely on year after year. The best way to acknowledge these individuals is with arms that hug genuinely, tightly and reassuringly (it’s a nice feeling, and it does the job).

I hope everyone will take advantage of December, what I call “the love month.” There’s no time like the present to forage a path to peace and it begins when we elect to engage in simple dialogue. “Hello” – has a lot of power. Add a smile and you’re on your way. You might meet a Scrooge or two with a will of iron, or what I like to call, a veneer of fear. If they don’t respond to your good intentions, do the next best thing, walk away to preserve your dignity, but never give up hope because in the end, whether we realize it or not, we all just want to be loved, even the Scrooge.

My December began in November with the annual Christmas Market at Zion Lutheran Church. I had never been before and wouldn’t have known about it if my friend didn’t share it on her Facebook page. Thank you so much, Linda. What a treat! I had the best time, listening to German carols, shopping for gifts of the edible kind (candies, cookies and other sweet treats), marveling at the beautiful art and architecture of one of Baltimore’s treasures, and the best part – meeting old and new friends. It was uninhibitedly social and you can always count on me for conversation and laughter.

Lately, I’ve been on what feels like a nonstop holiday tour. It was crunch week beginning with the Monument Lighting in Mount Vernon. Next came the Mayor’s Christmas Parade in Hampden. At first I thought I made the wrong choice because I had plans to go to the Bach Concert Series, but half way through the parade I realized I was just where I was meant to be, with a friend celebrating the season in Baltimore style (thank you, Brian). We did some window-shopping on the Avenue and then took a detour to 34th Street to see the Christmas Lights, or as I like to call it, Christmas on steroids.

In between these activities were a few cocktail parties, a classical music concert, a poetry reading, a holiday gift bizarre and a lecture. Three plays followed: “American Buffalo” at Center Stage, “Private Lives” at Everyman Theatre and “The Laramie Project” at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). I was in awe of each of the performances. Everyman, especially, you do Baltimore proud.

I spent my 20’s traveling from theater to theater to see plays. My interests changed and I became more involved with classical music, opera and concert operas. Thank you, Michael, for bringing the theater back into my life. Boy, what we have missed! It’s time for us to shake it up a bit and incorporate more plays into our season. I almost forgot about my many walks and hikes of mediation, forever thankful to be part of nature. It’s my oxygen and how I do religion.

I am super proud of Baltimore’s art scene, thankful to those who make it happen and even more appreciative of the patrons who support it year after year. Even in a troubled economy people are doing their best to support what is needed, now more than ever – ART and ARTISTS, because they are instrumental in helping us find our voice, more importantly, our love.

We are two weeks into the season and I’m willingly exhausted, but I’m going the distance, as I always do. There’s much more on my plate and I’m ready! We must always take advantage of these fortuitous moments, giving thanks to those who make it possible. I’m lucky because I have a wonderful team of friends and they made 2011 extra special (that includes you, Hannah!).

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday. I hear many stressing over what to buy. Others are purchasing items they can’t afford. Then there are the extremists who are bitching because their holiday must have equal time. Some are concerned about putting the Christ back in Christmas, as if it were ever gone. Let me not forget the politicians who are manipulating the masses into a false sense of security at every turn, pitting person against person, while feeding their righteous egos.

JUST STOP! Now is the time to think PEACE and GOODWILL. Why?! Because it’s the love month! Get on board and show some love. It would help if you’ve learned to love yourself first. - paerki

Additional Photos: Mayor's Christmas Parade, Christmas In Mount Vernon, Herring Run Trail / Lake Montebello, A Walk To The Christmas Market