There is a place I like to go. It’s a velvety green forest dripping with moss and wildflowers. The redwoods soar into the lush clouds leaving you to wonder where the tops end and the castle doors begin. Beneath the towering canopy, ferns and trilliums sprinkle the undergrowth. Deer leap over the carefully placed stones that form a campfire ring. Soon, an inviting fire crackles and warms the cool, damp air. Friends gather and laugh around the edges of its summery glow. A thermos of hot chocolate is poured into small, tin cups and shared. The perfect accompaniment is the marshmallows that roast tenderly on the end of sticks while favorite songs spill out of the radio perched on a fallen snag. A lid of fog sits on the evening like a spoonful of whipped cream. Thick, knitted blankets appear and cover chilly shoulders. Stars unblend from the shadowing sky sticking into their favorite spots. Moonlight filters through the sweet, smoky breeze. It funnels ancient energy into lanterns swaying on low, fir branches. The gurgling stream becomes the only voice. Night fades into sleep.
If I could make a hot chocolate flavor, I think that would be it. All of that stirred together and poured into my favorite cup with clouds on it. What would you name it? Lots of fun names come to mind and it’s hard to settle on just one. This is a fun, calming exercise. Go ahead, try it! What is the perfect name? Think of all the colorful words and envision putting your sticker on the outside of the cute tin.
Yep . . . love it!
So, what’s in a name? Names can carry an encyclopedia or a whisper of a breath. I have a little bit of a thing for noticing names. Take hotchocolateful for example. You could be full of the hot chocolate drink, but that wasn’t really where I was going with that! I picture something or someone who has lots of cozy warmth with naturey goodness and easiness and a little fun razzmatazz. They really enjoy themselves, even when they’re just doing their own thing. It’s easiest to appreciate this kind of simplicity when you’re happily in the moment and in a nice state of inner calm and peace. I think you can BE hotchocolateful and FEEL hotchocolateful. Silly, I know. But, it makes me happy and I hope it makes you happy, too!
Below is my made-up definition for hotchocolateful. And it is now so, forevermore.
BTW, the name I chose for my own hot chocolate mix is . . .
Hotchocolateful of Love or Marshmelly Moon or, ooooooh I finally just thought of the ONE! But I’m going to save that name for the middle-grade novel I’m working on. Yay, for finding a calm, creative moment!