That is an old fashioned word: Sugarplums.
We probably wouldn’t even use it were it not for the famous “Night before Christmas” rhyme and the Nutcracker Suite “Sugarplum Fairy”. (Which, by the way, is my favorite dance in the entire ballet).
“Sugarplums” refer to candies, and that is something most of us are familiar with, sometimes on a daily basis at this time of year.
I am as prone as anyone to getting carried away with self indulgence, surfeit, and distraction during the holidays.
But I don’t think that is why I love Christmas, no, in fact, I think it works the opposite way.
Feasting was never to be a fulltime occupation. It was to be an event that required some preparation, a period of anticipation, and was held in honor of a particular celebration. It was special.
Maybe our lack of passion in life, our inability to savor the good moments is due to the jading of our senses. We have too much, all the time. It is sort of a modern, and especially American, type of malaise.
Perhaps we need less, to enjoy more.
It Is A Two Part Act
Carrying in the Peacock, by John Dawson Watson
Buy This at Allposters.com
People (We) have a tendency to seesaw between feast and famine mentalities. We are dieting and denying, taking great pride in self-control which can quickly become judging of others who are not likewise engaged. Or we are on a constant quest of self fulfillment, “grabbing the gusto”, gobbling up the maximum of every luxury available.
When what we flourish with is the balance of both times.
…To everything there is a season…
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Christmas Eve will soon be here, and we will feast. Sugarplums will be in abundance. We dream of such times, and carry their memories long with us, but as we change from children to young adults, then to senior years the definition of a sweet feast changes.
This year I will feast within the looked forward to arrival of those I love most in the world. I want for each one to be here, although this year may not be the full set of children and grandchildren, it will be close to it.
And for me, that is indeed a feast of sugarplums most rare and delightful.
What’s your favorite part of the feast?
Carols
Turn, Turn, Turn
Once In Royal David’s City
