A Christmas Letter

I learned a new phrase in Spanish class recently: el segundo aire, which translates literally as “the second air”.

El segundo aire refers to the second phase of life. After the serious raising of the kids, after the main career, after most acquisitions and constant responsibilities. It is the time of life when we have a chance to take a breath of different air, to start anew. In Spanish, as in English, the word “air” is used metaphorically, too. Cambiar de aires, a change of scene. A mi aire, in my own way.

These concepts all captivated me, as you might imagine, and I soon realized I would write you a Christmas letter about my segundo aire, and yours.

Many of you who kindly visit this blog are cherished old friends with whom I have shared the long phase of our lives that is ending now, or rather that is sequeing into something else.

Some of you started out as internet acquaintances, coming together over mutual interests through the magic of cyberspace, then landing for real in one anothers’ lives to become dear and steadfast personal friends.

Others of you have become friends over the last two years through this blog, with your email responses and comments, or with looking me up when you are in San Pancho.

And many of you are those good friends who I’ve met right here in San Pancho or in other parts of Mexico; people who, like me, decided to embark on a new adventure and chose this place in which to design it.

Each and every one of you is a treasured part of this phase of my life, my segundo aire. I want you know to how very happy I am, immersed in my new surroundings, with a new house, new ideas, new projects, new friends, new love...living in el aire mas puro, the freshest of air.

You know how sometimes you think you already know something, and then, through further experience and learning, you discover you know it in a new way, unequivocally? I used to believe I knew this: that life is of our own making, that we can choose how to live it through our own thoughts and responses. I still believe this, but I believe it differently now.

Now I know in every cell of my being that we can create in the universe just as we create on a sheet of paper or with a lump of clay. I know for sure now that it all starts with imagination...then, that intention with attention results in manifestation. Every day, miracles manifest in my life. Small miracles, huge miracles. I choose to call them miracles, but I know that they depend essentially on my own imagining, plus intention, attention, attitude and gratitude. What goes around comes around. We get back what we give out.

This Christmas, I will get to touch my son, to stay up way late talking with him, if only for a few days. I will get to spend time with my now ex-husband Dick in a different way, as pals who have realized we are going in very different directions now but who have agreed keep our friendship intact. I will get to be with my brother Greg, whose life has blossomed recently in miraculous ways. I will get to enjoy my mother, delightfully still with us at age 96, who is coming back to San Pancho for the second time, to spend another holiday together.

I will be surrounded by good people and lit by sunshine. I’m not cooking: there are too many inviting places to eat, including my brother’s brand new restaurant. On Christmas Eve, we will join friends for an easy evening of finger food and games and conversation. On Christmas day, we will have brunch on the beach at a big table, feet in the sand, with other friends whose families are visiting. Not everyone I love will be right here, but we will be present in each others’ hearts and thoughts and most certainly on the phone.

For me, this first Christmas in Mexico will be a different take on the holiday, with many long-standing traditions left behind in some ways, to be reinvented here in this new air, as so many things are.

                                        The Christmas Tree

                       Abracadabra, the Christmas Candelabra

 

(I've been playing a lot, to tell the truth.)

And you? How goes your segundo aire? If you have a chance during this busy time of year, will you send me a few lines in a blog comment or an email note and let me know?

We're sneaking up on another brand new year, with another brand new opportunity to imagine how we want it to be. What could be more fun than that?

I wish you the gift of love this season.

¡Feliz Navidad, mis queridos amigos!

xo

Candice

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.                                    Paul McCartney & John Lennon 1969

Santa Claus is comin' to town. John Frederick Coots & Haven Gillespie 1934

Comments

[Barb Marilley]

Candice,
This post is late, but none the less sincere. I am so glad to have you for a friend. You have a way of making us all feel special.
The changes you speak of, the second air, abounds in us all if we let it find us.
May the New Year continue to bless you and the community of San Pancho. I think of you often and hope to be able to visit you some day.

[Gretchen Goodliffe]

Our second breath.... you open our eyes for us with your beautiful and wise posts. What a perfect creed to carry with us all through into 2012. You are SO much of an elven spirit (of the Tolkein Kind)... I feel I have met a real elf! Enjoy your Son, your Pal and your very amazing Mom who must be a courageous heart to travel at such an age... I think you have inherited something from her that is precious. There is magic in your soul Candice.
The twinkly sparkly peace of Christmas has come through in your words.... GG

[Sheri]

That was beautiful! It brought tears to my eyes. Next Christmas I will be there with you. And only a few more days till we set out for San Pancho in our old Jeep. Can't wait to see you.

[Diedre]

Thank you Candice for the wonderful and much appreciated Christmas greeting. And thank you for sharing the new traditions and magical Christmas you will experience for the first time. Enjoy your El segundo aire, breath it deeply savoring every moment of having the satisfaction of the blessing. A very, very, Merry Christmas!

[Char]

very poignant and lovely....I love the last picture of you...you are just glowing...and I love "the second air"....I am going to remember that when this old age gets me down....that certainly gives it a lightness that I would rather feel. Have a wonderful Christmas and kiss Nina for me!

[Jeanne]

What a beautiful post Candice. You have worked so hard to be where you are now - with your beautiful casa and your new life in San Pancho. How great that Greg is there - and fulfilling his dreams too (loved your post last week about his restaurant - it looks fabulous and is bound to be a success!).

I'm getting ready to enter my El segundo aire - and will e-mail you about it. Big changes but hopefully good ones.

It sounds like you will have a wonderful Christmas with all your family there. Feliz Navidad my friend!