Here we are, halfway through December. The Christmas decorations are up. I try to get ours up the week of December 1st – the outdoor lights (ty honey), the tree, inside decorations, and special angels get displayed. I actually have all the gifts wrapped and the majority of the baking complete. I’ve been off work with vacation days, which has been lovely. I’ve enjoyed watching TV, reading, baking, gift wrapping and at times, doing nothing – although I am still getting over a cold from earlier this month. Hubby has been down with the crud, although much worse than I endured. Was the difference I had the most recent flu and COVID shots? Or that he is immuno-compromised? Don’t know. The choices made are individual.
The current state of the world is truly scary. Ukraine is still in a war with Russia, which wants to take over their country. Peace talks have been proposed and fallen apart. The Middle East is still killing people – Hamas, Palestine, and Israel continue. Then there was a mass shooting in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration. Another shooting at a US university, and then Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered by their troubled son. It just makes your head spin. The orange Cheeto in America is still causing uncertainty for the world with his blatant disregard for international law by arbitrarily shooting fishing boats off the coast of Venezuela
We are helping my folks prepare to sell their home of 13 years, as they have moved into a supportive living residence. This is a great move; however, getting the house prepared to sell is more challenging. There are items that, over the years, have been collected that no longer serve a purpose or are wanted by the current generations. No one uses tea sets and services, or collects beautiful Royal Doulton figurines. Pianos and organs now sit idle. Boxes of photographs that meant something, yet I have no idea who the people are. It’s hard, yet it needs doing. Putting them into a box and storing them? For what reason, just to keep? How do you dispose of these treasures? I am at a loss as to how to navigate this stage of life. I do know that I don’t want to leave a mess like this one for our kids to deal with when the time comes.
Grands are doing well. The eldest has his learner’s driver’s license. The youngest was baptized last month. The other 4 enjoyed making gingerbread houses and decorating cookies this weekend. All things that make our hearts full. Christmas dinner will be here on Christmas Eve, as I am working the 25th & 26th.
Sadly, another Uncle passed away in November. He and my aunt had been married for 60 years. As the top end of the family gets smaller, the bottom end is growing. I thought about that during my bedtime prayers. It is the circle of life, isn’t it?
A new year is just around the corner. Hoping you are able to find something special in this season when there is so much mistrust in the world. I continue to believe that there is more good and kindness in the world than evil. I hold that in my heart when I see our grandchildren playing, listening to them sing Christmas songs and see the wonder in their eyes with Christmas lights. I believe that Christ is the Christmas. If you are looking for something wonderful to watch, The First Christmas by Kevin Costner is perfect.
To all the amazing people who dwell in my heart, I wish all of you nothing but infinite joy and immeasurable happiness this Christmas brings! Merry Christmas to you all!
