T'was the week before Christmas Eve . . .

If it would snow it may, indeed, feel like the Christmas season. Could this global warming thing be real that we in Indiana have not had a white Christmas in several years? Whatever it is, it does not feel like Christmas without the white stuff! My mother used to tell me the older I got the quicker time would go by; and, she was correct. It is amazing 2018 is about to conclude and another Christmas is upon us. I have loved the Christmas season my whole life, and this year it feels like I'm going through the motions. So many life events have occurred and relationships have shape-shifted that my need for stability has lost it's footing. 
Nonetheless, my heart remains childlike when I see the colored lights adorn homes, street lights and the Martinsville City-County building on the town square lite up like a gingerbread house. It is certainly worth the drive to see this beautiful old building in its full holiday display. My heart is reminded of the simple things in life that offer busy people the opportunity to remember the hopeful, dreamy times of our youth. The times when everything seemed possible and upbeat. It wasn't the number of gifts we received, it was the time together to feel the electricity that runs to and through each other's hearts as we gather to give and receive the simple, most important things in life around a table filled with foods prepared by the hands of those present. The greatest gift present was the love we shared. Perhaps we can remember these truths when we feel frantic our shopping list has many names yet to be checked off! Perhaps a simple: one back rub, help cleaning out the garage, keeping my room clean, and doing two helpful things without being asked, can suffice! Whatever you choose, enjoy this next week, even if the grass is still green!