Under the Sycamore:
Musings on Life and Home
As Christmas morning breaks over Chester County, one of my most cherished traditions is waking before dawn, with only the soft glow of the Christmas tree illuminating the room. The only creatures stirring in my house are the dogs, and I savor the peaceful solitude. It’s a sacred moment of stillness as I wait for the smell of coffee to permeate sugarplum visions, and for my family to eventually join the yuletide celebration.
As the morning unfolds, it’s inevitable that we find ourselves revisiting Christmases past. We laugh about the windstorm that knocked out power on Christmas Eve four years ago leaving us unable to bake the cinnamon rolls. We debate when we last had a true white Christmas (Christmas Eve, 2012 a mere dusting, but it still counts in our book.) And we reminisce about our favorite gifts. For me, the most precious ones have always been the handmade treasures crafted by my children.
This season has a way of connecting us to the threads of our history. It invites us to look back on the stories that shaped us, savor the present moment, and dream of what’s to come. Few stories capture this timeless reflection more than A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey through the past, present, and future reminds us of the transformative power of honesty, compassion, and hope. His character arc – one of despair to renewal – is not just a holiday lesson, but a universal one.
Not far from where I write, our own history tells a similar tale. During that bleak winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, the Continental Army faced unimaginable hardship. Washington and his troops, like Scrooge, were confronted with the choice of giving up or pushing forward. Supplies were scarce, the cold was unrelenting, and the future of a young nation hung in the balance. And yet, they persevered. Valley Forge became a turning point – a testament to the enduring truth that even the bleakest moments can lead to renewal and triumph.
This season, we’re reminded to look back with gratitude, live the present with purpose, and embrace the future with hope. The indomitable spirit Dickens wrote about, the same spirit Washington and his troops embodied, is stitched into the fabric of our lives. As we celebrate today, let’s carry a little of that spirit forward: gratitude for the past, joy in the present, and optimism for brighter days head.
From all of us at Sycamore and Stone Farm, thank you for your continued support and for being part of our story. May this season, however you celebrate, bring you warmth, joy, and a renewed sense of hope for the days ahead.
And if you find yourself visited by three ghosts tonight, welcome them kindly. Perhaps offer them a warm drink and a seat by the fire. After all, even ghosts need a little cheer to endure a Chester County winter.
