The Festive Season

Toward the end of autumn, leaves start to go yellow; red, brown. Then, what feels to me like all of a sudden, the leaves have fallen off the trees. The moments of transition -- when you first see a leaf turn yellow, when you start to notice the scrunching of leaves under your feet, when you start to see your breath -- are beautiful. Seasons change gradually, then all at once.

When I visited New York last month, I visited on the cusp of winter. On my first day in the city, I visited the Rockefeller Center, watching as people skated on ice. I was fascinated. The joy on the skater's faces. Some confident, soaring across the ice. Others less confident, trying to find their feet. Here, too, was transition: the skaters built their skills, becoming better over time. There was conversation all around. The temperature was cold but not too cold. The "hats optional" kind of weather.

Days later, a construction site was present next to the rink where I admired the skaters. A Christmas tree was being constructed. It was a grand tree; tall. Scaffolding was used to prop up the tree and to decorate its long, full branches. I didn't get to see the tree in its complete state. I gather it takes some time to build. Indeed, sometimes we need to start early to be on time.

In front of me was the beginning of a transition: ice skating, Christmas trees. Festivity was in the air with a muted tone.

A few days later, I found myself in another area of the city, witnessing a transition moment. I went toward Bryant Park. I was headed in that direction to get a coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee, one of my favourite coffee chains. The coffee was delightful. Sweet, warm. Exactly what I needed, for the weather was getting colder outside and I wanted to stay warm. Then, I explored the park. Or, rather, the festivities. The Christmas stalls. The ice rink.

I walked around with a warm coffee clasped between my hands, taking in the decorations and the joy in the air. Many people were skating on an ice rink in the park. Young people learning in a designated zone, under the tutalage of an instructor. Advanced skaters, like before, moving with ease. New skaters practicing toward the edges, eager not to fall. Being careful, eager not to fall, is the category in which I would find myself should I have skated. Rather, I watched. Admiring the start of the festive season.

Fast forward to now. I got back home weeks ago from my trip to New York. Slowly, there has been a greater festive spirit in the air. Snow has fallen. I have seen my breath in the morning. I need to remember my gloves when I go places.

The festive season is in full swing. Decorated trees are abound. I am wrapping presents. At first, transition happens gradually, then seemingly all at once.