Christmas Future is here at Last
It never ceases to amaze me how full of blessing my life is. Yes, its probably full of hardships and heartbreaks as well, but I suppose since I choose to focus on the good, I tend to feel the happy times out weigh the challenges right now.
For instance, this Christmas I’m with my in-laws in Northern California savoring every moment. My in-laws are the most tremendous wedding gift I could’ve received when I married my husband. I’m having the most relaxing Christmas and every moment’s a total blast. From the Nerf gun battles with my nephews, to the coffee Dad brews in the morning; from stayin’ in my pajamas till 2pm, to driving around with my new Mom and sister and catching a glimpse of a wonderful winter sunset. Even hiding and wrapping last minute Christmas gifts, though slightly harrowing, is a giggly, entertaining joy.
Just a few years ago I was dreading spending Christmases without my daughters. I’d had so many wonderful Christmases with them. We’d shared wonderful mornings with their little faces full of anticipation for what Santa had brought them. Carols, cookies, Christmas lights and concerts. Now, they’d grown and gone and were enjoying Christmases on their own. I knew I had a wonderful new love in my life though. As I looked forward to Christmas Future with him, it turned into Christmas Present with the whole Wood Clan. They welcomed me like one of their own and it’s been nothing but entertaining cookie and ornament exchanges ever since. New family and new traditions. This year’s been an extra bonus too. Aaron drove the almost 12 hours from Phoenix, Arizona to Loomis, California so that we could spend a week at his sisters new home. Joined by his Mom and Dad and my sister-in-law’s husband’s parents its a houseful of warm food, hearty laughs, and lots of love.
So with Christmases Pasts gone but certainly not forgotten, I revel in the Present and thank God for every precious new moment of love that almost overwhelms my heart. I couldn’t be happier. Happy, sucha simple word but not an easy feeling to find. Yes, I DO know how lucky I am. Excuse me while I go pinch myself.
