Christmas
is over, the amaryllis bloomed on Christmas morning, and I’m still savoring the
memories of my husband’s amazing smoked brisket with ten members of our family
around the Christmas Eve dinner table.
This year was especially wonderful because our daughter Kirsten,
son-in-law Kent, and our grandchildren, Greta (6) and Oliver (2), stayed
overnight, which meant on Christmas morning we rewarded by two excited children
peeking into their Christmas stockings and ripping open their presents with
unrestrained glee, followed by their parents opening loving heartfelt gifts to
each other. Watching their Christmas
morning unfold in our living room was so powerful and sacred to me, I found
myself with tears streaming down my face at one point, because I felt in that
moment, completely and overwhelming filled with unblemished peace. Our wooden floor was soon entirely covered
with toys, scraps of wrapping paper, torn boxes, and assorted ribbons all in
utterly perfect chaos. Later, we ate a satisfying
breakfast feast of huevos rancheros, a much needed protein addition from all
the Christmas cookies and candies. God
is good, and I feel loved up.
Now it is a new year, and a usual I ponder why it
feels so good to polish off one year and start another. Why does the first of
January pack such a hope-filled punch when the night before was just another
night? What a difference a day makes, but why? Certainly marketers know this is
true - in January you will see the assorted plastic bin events begin as we apparently
all jointly decide to organize our stuff and get rid of items we no longer
need. Diets begin afresh, and vendors
for diet programs and gym membership draw us into their folds once more.
It would seem we all need, or at least crave the need,
to draw a line in the sand and separate ourselves from our mistakes, sad
events, or just our big ball of life, and break it down into a more manageable
length of time: 12 months. “That was last
year”, we can tell ourselves. “This year will be different. This year I will be
more mindful of the beauty in each day, be more disciplined, and be more
thankful for my family and friends. This year my loved one won’t be sick or
die. This year…this year will be better.”
As I look out into what 2015 will hold, I know of
some simmering sadnesses that will be played out in some way, but I also know
there will be warm, deep hugs from loved ones, jokes and smiles, and
indescribable beauty, and as Psalms 33:5 says, “The Lord loves righteousness
and justice, (and) the earth is full of his unfailing love.”
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