Painting by Belynda Wilson Thomas

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. Robert Brault

Is it the baby’s first Christmas or is it all the people’s first Christmas with him that makes it special? Babies take up as much space in our lives as we give them. One baby becomes the center of our life, but the ninth baby fits into a family too. We will squeeze a little tighter at the dinner table until we need to create the kid’s table. Being part of a family is making room for one more. It might be a new partner for someone who is single, a new baby, or a friend whose family is far away.

The message and magic of Christmas are opening our hearts, widening our circle, and spreading good cheer.

The day after Christmas is the Feast of St Stephen, named after Stephen the first Christian martyr, appointed by the Apostles and stoned to death by those unwilling to be converted to Christianity.

Boxing Day to some of us is the biggest shopping day of the year when we go out looking for bargains. My husband asked me last night, “Do you want to go shopping tomorrow?” We’ll play it by ear, we have to be out today, but do we really want to bravely find a parking space? The exercise of walking will be good and with no cooking today, it is an easy day of rest and relaxation, whatever shape that takes.

Most humans are never fully present in the now because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life which is never, not now. Eckhart Tolle

We didn’t get to celebrate our nephew’s 50th birthday which was two years late because of the pandemic, this time the weather didn’t cooperate. We ended up doing what we did for his 50th birthday, we had a video call. We promised to get together when the weather will not likely be an issue.

This time between Christmas and New Year is a good time to reflect on the year past, and the year coming. What do we want more of, what do we want less of, and what needs to be different? Is life humming along on an even keel and we hope it will continue? That’s where I am right now, and if I can keep it steady I’ll be doing great.

There is so much to be grateful for, and so much contentment in this stage in life. We are watching our children with their spouses, our little grandson is growing every day, and our heart is full and overflowing with the blessings in our lives. We both still have our mothers we get to spend time with.

Change is always coming, seasons come and go, and we will have joy and sorrow. That is the way of life, but this moment is wonderful. We shouldn’t let the knowledge that hard days are coming, spoil the joy of what is. Can we wring all the joy out of our present day? Deal with each day as it comes and with its gifts and challenges live fully in the moment.

This is the challenge I am giving myself this coming year. To live fully in the moment and enjoy what each day brings.

Instead of bracing yourself for the perils of the unknown embrace the joy that is here in your present moment. Michelle Cruz Rosado

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can give all our attention to the opportunity before us. Mark Van Doren

Thank you for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope you will come back and read some more. Have a blessed day filled with gratitude, joy, and love.