Christmas recap

Somewhere between my morning nap, my afternoon nap and my evening nap today, I realized that I had thoroughly enjoyed Christmas this year. I saw my husband's and daughter's faces glow in the candlelight of one church service, heard a dear friend play organ during mass at another and saw my preacher incorporate a miniature of the lamp from A Christmas Story into an uplifting and funny sermon at our third service in 18 hours. In the earliest hours of Christmas Day, I got to drive home on country roads filled with a fog that was mystical and beautiful rather than scary. I got to see children playing with presents that truly delighted them. I gave presents which people truly enjoyed, received presents that I love and served a decent meal late yesterday evening on a beautifully set table that reminded me of people and times I cherish. My grandmother's lace tablecloth, my mother's silver, my wedding china and crystal, new chargers given to me by my mother-in-law, the centerpiece my organ playing friend and I made together years ago were all tangible reminders of heritage and love. My in-laws were still laughing today over the dog that stole the dinner rolls.

It wasn't perfect. I would have loved to have been more generous. I would have loved to have seen my sister and nephew. However, it was warm, calm, peaceful and filled with laughter and hope. I go back to work tomorrow for a truncated week, and that feels good and right. Between a lovely holiday, today's rest and the anti-depressants starting to kick in, I feel energized and renewed. I couldn't ask for anything more.