Joshua Tree
The Holidays are another socially constructed tradition that TV and movies have trained us to follow. We’ve been programmed to believe that we have to sit with family and friends around a 12-seat rectangular table covered with bulky center pieces, LED candles, and over-stuffed dinner plates on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. If I knew twelve people who I would truly love to share a few hours with, I would definitely look forward to this time of the year. But I don’t. And I’m okay with that. I have a tiny circle of friends and a small family that doesn’t like turkey so our dinner possibilities are infinite.
I might have my own Thanksgiving tradition one day when I have my personal family. I don’t cook so I would cater and even then, I don’t care for turkey so I would order from a couple of places to feed everyone’s palettes. That is unless I marry a chef or my husband likes to cook. Also, I don’t foresee my parents driving the hour to my place so it would be still be a tiny, quiet gathering in my home.
For now, I feel like I don’t have a choice but to spend the extra long weekend at my parent’s. My mom will cook something out of her regular repertoire and if we’re lucky, my dad won’t be giving her the silent treatment. We’ll eat pie after dinner, my dad will go to work on Friday, and I’ll take my mom Black Friday shopping midday.
I am not alone in dreading this time of the year. Between the expectation to spend the holidays with family, money on gifts folks may not even like, or even worse, on people you only see once a year, a lot of us fall into the deep, deep blues. The weather and the short days do not help. My family has toxic qualities that make me want to drive away as soon as the attacks begin. But for others, the holidays are a big fuck you reminder of the cherished members that are no longer with us.
Which is why I would rather be in Joshua Tree! But not this weekend. I saw their Instagram page and the park is bombarded with people who have the week off. There are long lines to get in and the parking lots are full. Instead, I will pretend I am there as I review my photo album from October. My sister and I were there in celebration of her birthday. It was the last warm weekend of the season and the sky was the most beautiful blue above the incoming cumulus clouds. We hiked the two-mile Split Rock trail near Rock Skull. My Samsung S22 did a swell job of capturing these images, so much so that I am taken back to the calm, joy, and happiness I experienced that day taking the leisurely yet strenuous walk. If you’re having hard feelings this holiday season, open up your Calm app, play a soundscape track, take a deep breath, and submerge yourself into the following shots. You’re welcome :)
