In the dwindling days before Christmas, we are feverously preparing for that day of days, all the while knowing that we are on an accelerated schedule. Following that old saw, go east old man, I find our holiday agenda much advanced. Before I can even think about sitting around on Christmas morning, all warm and toasty, with my family all around, opening presents, I know that I first have miles to go before I can sleep and then be awakened from that long winter’s nap.

In this long countdown where time has first dilated, stretching to a distant horizon that seemingly would never be reached, before suddenly snapping back into place, we are close enough now to have weather forecasts for our trip back east. For late December it is looking pretty good. There is no blizzard of ’25 in the offing that is if you believe the weatherman. Now the return trip is still up for grabs, but I’ll leave that question for another day.

Racing forward now, all the little things that have been too long put off are all yammering together for my attention like a pack of yapping dogs. This trip is more complicated than most and requires more planning, but now I find myself rushed to throw caution to the wind and to throw everything that we are bringing all higgly piggly into the back of the car and just go.

Wait! There is still time. Consider carefully before you rashly act. Before you throw that first pair of pants into a suitcase, think! Curate your belongings. What will you need and what can you do without? I am now demanding from my pants attributes I am also seeking in others and in myself. I want them to be forgiving and reassuring. I want them to nurture me. I want them to say: “I was there, too. I experienced it. I came out on the other side more carefree and less rigid. And I learned about the importance of ventilation in the process.”