On the twelfth day of Christmas…..
There are so many precious moments, big and small, that I have tucked away to keep me warm this winter and in the ones to come, but these twelve stand out for me tonight:
1–The first night that we were all under the same roof for the first time in several months, and I took that sweet, deep breath of thankfulness.
2–Listening to Christmas music while baking Mama’s cookies in the kitchen, using her very own cookie cutters.
3–Taking the Zoo Crew up to Wesleyan on a cold, wet afternoon to hear the Washboard Band play and hear Aub in her percussion debut.
4–The joy of sharing St. Lucia Day festivities with friends and family at Evening Prayer as my writerfriend D and I shared our stories of light for the second year in a row. It’s a tradition now, y’all.
5–Attending “White Christmas” at a local theater with youth actors and actresses. Seeing their beaming faces at the end for the curtain call–they were so pleased with the job they had done. As well they should be. I fell in love with the place, the young people, and the story all over again.
6–The joy of sitting next to One I Hold Dear as I watched my littles perform for their Christmas programs. When folks do things they don’t have to do out of love and just because they want to, that is a beautiful gift.
7–Hearing Christmas songs played live in my own home. As we wrap up our first year of piano lessons, it has been so much fun to hear the littles playing Christmas carols for us. I am anticipating even more songs in the coming year to brighten our holidays.
8–The musical offerings talented and beautiful folks shared at Evening Prayer both before and after Christmas. So much time, talent, and dedication went into those evenings. I love each and every one of them for making my holidays truly special with their music, smiles, and laughter.
9–Seeing the faces of children, young and old, as they saw Santa Claus when he visited us at Bare Bulb Coffee. So many precious secrets whispered in Santa’s ear. The smiles were bright and everlasting. My heart will never quite be the same again.
10–Hearing “Silent Night” in the candlelit church on Christmas Eve. I choked up and couldn’t sing all the words. I felt so connected to the ones who are no longer with us who also sang those words on so many Christmas Eve nights over the years. I felt surrounded by a host of those I love.
11–Those precious, quiet moments in the wee hours of Christmas morning, when I sat there by myself in the midst of gifts and love, and I was excited, worn out, relieved, happy, and filled with wonder and peace. And as I sat there, loathe to leave the sweet twinkle lights and their golden glow and the love that filled the room, I thought about how all of those emotions were probably present that very first Christmas morning. That’s when my heart filled with gratitude, and I found myself weeping as I headed to bed for a few hours of slumber.
12–One of the very best moments was seeing the excitement in my children’s eyes and hearing the anticipation in their voices as they wrapped and then gave their Christmas gifts on Christmas morning. They were more excited to give the gifts they’d chosen than they were to open up the ones with their names on them. That was a huge gift to me, and I am so thankful for their giving hearts.
Y’all, I was just kidding. Twelve? All the little moments. Cups of coffee with friends. Surprise visits with folks I haven’t seen for far too long. Painting with my little friends and watching them focus and work so hard to create their own masterpieces. Sitting around a fire with precious people as the sun went down and the stars came out. Watching the children play with their friends as the excitement of Christmas came closer and closer. Wrapping up in warm, colorful afghans and talking late into the night. Hallmark Christmas movies. Watching my brother teach my Aub how to make “Maemae’s” biscuits. Phone calls and Christmas cards. Hugs galore. Cousins who make me smile and laugh. Oh the joy and peace that passes all understanding!
All of that.
May each and every day of this New Year be filled with just such gifts for all of us.
Love to all. Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas!
I Might Need A Nap 