So fellow travelers, as New Year’s weekend came to a close, the annual not-so-popular tradition of packing up Christmas tagged along.
Putting away the festive trinkets and wrappings of the season is always a little bittersweet, but this time with Favorite Youngest Daughter returning to Tokyo at the end of the week tugged a bit harder on my heart strings.
We have a full week to get in a quick road trip and movies and photo expeditions with our DSLR cameras. How cool to have her say “Mom can we go out to shoot some pictures? The new snow looks amazing.” I am looking forward to seeing Japan through her lens and I’m excited to have her explore photography. She’s taking a class this semester with her sister’s favorite professor at TUJ. Yes, true reasons to send her on her way with a good long hug.
Braving single digits temperatures for some photo ops with new snow and Miss Delilah our dog.
As I tucked things into their carefully labeled boxes, words began to flow and this time they wove themselves into something a bit longer than my usual haiku.
Wrapping Memories
The calendar says the holidays are done
obediently you pack up the trimmings
gently wrapping each ornament
with precious memories of moments spent together
Oh the priceless gift of time
not found at any vendors stall
Each piece is tucked away
with a silent prayer to gather again in joy
as the celebration of life and love
goes on in your heart.
Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.