Our house looked a little bare on the afternoon of January 1st. I had packed away the Christmas lights and all the tinsel. I’d put the nativity set back in its box. But the most astonishing change came when all the suitcases, spare socks, bulky coats, stuffed animals, and electronic gadgets followed our grandchildren out the door to go home.
Once I’d vacuumed all the crumbs and straightened all the cushions, I made an astonishing discover. Our living room looked lovely. And inviting. And peaceful.
And new baby makes Thirteen!
I love the glitter of Christmas, but I don’t need the lights all year round to keep Christmas in my soul. And I truly, truly, truly love our grandchildren. But I don’t have to live with them to be connected. Oh, I’ll miss them like crazy, and I’ll wonder what they are doing next week and how their days are going. I’ll wish I could hear their voices and feel their hugs.
But, I’ll be happy to snuggle in with their grandfather for a bit and just be us. I’ll find time to write. And to read. And to pray. I will slip right back into the routines of life that make me able to be who I’m supposed to be in this season. And, I’ll be glad about it.
(For about three weeks. Then I’ll be planning a road trip!)
Happy New Year!
I’m enjoying this season where the kids put up and take down all the Christmas decorations. It’s been really hard to get in the mood for Christmas these last few years and they like doing it so I let them have at it. It was good to see Jesse, Claire, Ada and Macey here for a few days!
How wonderful to have little elves!
This year we didn’t decorate at all for Christmas because of the remodel. I was sad about it and felt bad for the kids. Next year we will do it up right! But despite how awful our house looks right now, it still feels like a peaceful safe haven. That’s such a blessing, right? Enjoy getting back to your routine ~ and writing!
Exactly, Kimberly! It isn’t in the tinsel and the tree. Even Cindy Lou Hoo knew that š Happy 2014 to you and yours.