Enjoy the gig, Z. A PAID gig, yet!
I think many people suffer mood darkness this time of year (in the Northern hemisphere) as the days shrink and the temps drop. And I gather that you are not one whose spirit is buoyed by a good trip to the mall to soak up Christmas cheer. Better to hang in on the sitting meditations, I think.
Tough to witness our old dogs age into their final days. All the best on that one.