In the power of thanksgiving… and laughter.

While Brian was tucking her in bed, Bella looked up at him with those soulful brown eyes.

“Is Thanksgiving over Daddy?”

“Well, the holiday is over, but we can be thankful every day. I’m thankful I got to spend the weekend with my family and we could all be together.”

“And I…” a short pause, “…am thankful we can stand on our hands.”

In one day.

“Mommy,” her voice lilts from the middle of the van, “I wish plastic never got broken.” A pause, then, “And I wish all the soft things never got torn.” Another pause, then quietly she says, “And I wish nothing would ever make me cry.”

One day, sweet baby girl. One day.

In the magic of music… and singing Christmas carols at the top of our lungs while we drive over dark roads.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,
Close by me forever, and love me I pray.

Carrying sleepy babies into warm beds, then sitting up late, white cat curled on my lap purring peacefully. Eating nachos and catching up on life with old friends (and new).

Yes, He is close by us forever.

The Macy’s Day Parade ended with children around Santa Claus singing how they believed. I had watched my children’s faces rapt with wonder as float after float, band after band, balloon after balloon went by on the screen, and now that it was over, I sat as I do every year at the end of the parade and cried. Not because it was over, but because it was beginning…

Thanksgiving. The Christmas season. It is my favorite time of year. But somehow this year, there is little excitement for me.  Read more... (848 words, estimated 3:24 mins reading time)