I am so very blessed

This year, for whatever reason, has been an exceptionally overwhelming Christmas season. I am not too sure why - am I just getting to that age or has the year been that much harder. I can tell you one reason for sure has been facing the reality of sickness and death. Each year seems to bring about that much more of each!

But as I take a moment to sit and be I am again flooded with memories of what makes Christmas so very special:

• the reason for the season - that we have hope for an eternal life and a savior to mercifully redeem us
• the many hugs that are freely passed around without a care in the world - take that H1N1
• warm cookies straight from the oven
• pot after pot of delicious coffee
• flying wrapping paper as children experience the joy of getting
• watching the smiles of the childs faces as adults experience the joy of receiving
• wearing the brand new christmas sweater and thinking about the dear friend that gave it to you
• seeing gramps old nut bowls with dear family gathered round telling jokes and shelling peanuts
• a candy cane dipped in eggnog
• twinkling of the snow as you come home from another late night spent with friends and family
• the Grinch!! (both the cartoon and my pops)
• sitting around the tree with only the christmas lights on
• the plentitude that was given to me
• a photo album filled with such lovely memories of the past few years
• the whispered i love you's
• sticky fingers doing my hair with a multitude of elastics and clips
• little ones declaring their bowl of jello is 'baby' sized - my mercies!!
• chocolate mustaches
• family games
• quiet visits with dear aunts
• dreaming about the new year on the horizon

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Auntie Jules Christmas Photo Album