merry christmas

christmas postcards i made today for gorgeous friends

“After awhile you learn

the subtle difference between

holding a hand and chaining a soul

and you learn that love doesn’t mean possession

and company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts

and presents aren’t promises and you begin to accept

your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead

with the grace of an adult not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build your roads today

because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans

and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight.

After awhile you learn that even sunshine

burns if you get too much so you plant your

own garden and decorate your own soul

instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure

that you really are strong

and you really do have worth

and you learn

and you learn…”

~Veronica A. Shoffstall

Merry Christmas people.

Had a quiet, good Christmas.

We awoke at 8, and had a breakfast of hot tea and bacon cheese rolls.

we sat softly about, and opened small presents from each other.

charlie was over the moon excited about his new toy ~ a plastic squeaky rock on a rope. as I type this, he is asleep at my knee, exhausted from a day of joyful playing. Charlie reminds me to take pleasure in the simple things.

charlie and his new toy

i felt a bit homesick after talking to my brother and sister on the phone ~ both of them are staying on my parent’s farm tonight, and i wish i could be with them. I haven’t slept in the same house as my brother since I was about 13, and it would be good to be with them all again.

midday found me crying on my bed from being in a town two thousand kilometres from my family, even though i know it’s the right thing for me.

we had roast lamb and vegetables for lunch and it was delicious. we flavoured it with rosemary from our garden. i love that we have our own herbs growing on the small section of earth we live on.

afterwards, we opened our box of gratitude ~ last night we made a small box and filled it with small torn pieces of paper with those things we are grateful for this year. we read them out to each other, and it was such a beautiful ritual. There were so many smiles, and inner warmth as we reflected on each one. it reminded us of stories and shared adventures that have made our year. And we realised just how big and beautiful the bounties of this year have been. There have been challenges, but when we subtract those and add those blessings, our totals reach the sky and beyond. i am so grateful for our box of gratitude ~ it cheered me immeasurably.

and i painted, and collaged in the morning and afternoon.

how my world feels better when i have a pen and paintbrush in my hand.

thus, the comings and goings of our christmas.

tonight we settle into the couch with our dog, and watch the Muppet Christmas show.

Tomorrow my parents arrive. I haven’t seen them in six months ~ before that it was eighteen months. Not sure how regular my posting will be whilst they are here.

Wherever you are in this marvellous world, blessings to you.

Also ~ realised something today.

Christmas is for reflection and celebration of the past year.

New Year is the period for the dreaming of what is to come.