December Days

I find it hard to believe that we've come to the last month of the year

and still we are dealing with "the sickness" as Jack calls it.

I asked him on this walk if he had seen his cousins' new puppies,

and he said, "I saw a picture, but not the puppies ... 'cause, you know... the sickness." 

He did not realize how special it was to me that we could spend some time together

and that I got to hear him talk. 

 We all know that these kind of sights are few and far between these days, 

so we enjoy the moments, not knowing when the next will be.

We took the kids along to choose and cut down a tree. 

It turned into somewhat of a hike, but wonderful ...

skirting around puddles on the path, sloshing through tall grasses,

the carrying of the saw and the tree, and the view coming down.

In these days, where this kind of contact is not normal,

I am so grateful for windows of time that appear normal.

Times when we can remember what life should be like.

Our kids gave us this.  A gift. 

Our first Christmas in this house may not be as we envisioned, 

but I'm so thankful that we can still make new memories

built around more quiet times and less rushing about.

Maybe this will be the year where everything is not just a blur

trying to get in on so much! 

So, in the midst of being forced to slow down, 

rather than stewing about the inconveniences,

I wish to know  and share the peace 

that comes from knowing that nothing can separate us

from the love of God, in the baby born in a manger. 

🤍🤍🤍