Nostalgia doesn’t visit me too often, but when the Christmas season rolls around and the “nuts” are out in the grocery store, I fondly recall my father sitting on the sofa cracking assorted nuts and using that little pick to dig the meat out. It was also a test of strength for us kids as we aged – could we crack the really hard ones? It was a contest and I’m sure my father feigned inability to muster that kind of fortitude.
Really, those nuts are a good reminder. First of all, they’re healthy and give a good minute or so of stress relief while handling the coveted nutcracker. But also, they are a nice metaphor for life, aren’t they? Some nuts are easier to crack than others, and some not as appealing. Some don’t produce much internally, and others just look awful, but are quite delicious. But really, they all have something to give. Oh, we people are much the same.
Just reminding myself of this as I look ahead to the bustling crowds, of which it seems we have an abundance.
(Especially with this unseasonably warm weather which is driving me nuts! I need some moisture.) Repeated refrain.