Thinking about presence...

We're nice and warm and it's the day after Christmas. Our holidays with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews were steeped in tradition. A tradition I have been blessed with many times over.

I've been thinking about something I heard my mother telling my brother. She was feeling really sad that she did not have the time to put thought and time into her gift buying this year. That resonated with me and I, like my mother, felt the same way.

While I am joyous, thankful, and blessed with the presence of family and the memories of Christmas past, if I'm not careful, I can get caught a little longer than I should in the sadness that accompanies the season of celebrating Christ and the sadness of saying good-by to family for another year.

Thank you everyone! I love you all.

Today, I had to stay home with the flu.

My kitchen is such a mess I'm embarrassed. I make myself get up off the couch to do dishes. Listening to Christmas music to inspire me, I can't help but know how blessed I am. Yet, I am also sad thinking about my own grandparents and ALL those who loved me, happy to have such beautiful memories to fall back on.

I remember the first Christmas I did not go home and it still saddens me to think of it, but I was trying to grow up. Make my own way and find my way and value in life.

I'm missing my Hailey Jo. She is such a beautiful person and will find what she is looking for. Both girls are going through life's challenges and opportunities and I am so excited for them to find success and peace. It is contained within.

Merry Christmas everyone!