Christmas Spirit

 

   I love Christmas. 💖

   But.. something is different this year and I didn't give it much thought until last week when I dragged all the decorations up from the basement. 

 My kids don't live here anymore.  

   We had a family right away after marrying, and so all of our Christmases except the very first one together have been mostly about the kids.  Oh, how I have loved that experience.   The toy shopping,  the present hiding, the surprise building, the cookie and gingerbread house making, the stocking stuffing and tiptoeing at midnight to fill the tree skirt to overflowing with gifts for the next mornings surprise.  The Christmasy breakfast with monkey bread for pulling apart, the big fire in the fireplace as we opened presents usually early AM, because anticipation, you know.

   So I hoisted all the decorations to the first floor.. and  looking at all the boxes I thought.. well, maybe not so much this year. It's just us.  A sadness blanketed my Christmas Spirit...  But the manchild stopped in shortly after and said "Where's the ***, and are you putting out the ***?  "Where's the star plate? I love that star plate".  

   And the girlchild came by looking to see if maybe I had a few extra decorations because they're tight on money  having just ventured out together on their own and could we spare a piece or two? She also made a few gifts for family this year and she said "It feels so good to MAKE something you know another person will enjoy".  

   They've been paying attention, and I do believe they have the same Christmas Spirit in their hearts that their father and I do.   I'm loving Christmas all over again, the lens in the glasses just needed an adjustment.  Sorta like this aging deal. And you know, just as in aging, I'm damned lucky to have a reason for the  need for the lens adjustment.  Biggest Gift of all. 

 K made this in Kindgergarten....

M made this in kindgergarten too...

My mother had this made when I was born.. it has my name and birthyear on it....

We use the Christmas Spode all during the season as our daily plates.. why ever not.

Christmas cactus in full bloom... 

   We all have our trials, the spectrum is wide and varied. Wherever you find yourself and your loved ones on that spectrum this year, may the spirit of the season surround you in the ways you find joy and peace of mind.  May the threads of kindness in our Humanity prevail - 

 

    Bless Us Everyone