And Just like that, It's over

And Just like that, it’s over.

Christmas has come and gone again. After Christmas has passed I often find myself looking at my tree and counting the days until I move it out on New Years Eve. This is so peculiar considering how, only three days earlier, I would sit and gaze on my tree with peace and joy, lifted up in spirit by the warmth and beauty of the lights and sparkle. 

Christmas is one of my very favorite holidays. I love it so much that, out of respect for the season, I am adamant about not engaging in Christmas until Thanksgiving day ends - at which point we inaugurate the holiday by watching our chosen Christmas movie while eating pie. I know that if I started Christmas earlier than that I would be over it by the time it actually got here. I love it too much for that! 

By New Years I am ready to take down the tree and decorations but I would encourage you (and myself) to take a few more peaceful moments to sit and enjoy what has just happened. For those of us who are so blessed to have our family close to us, let us not take it for granted. Say a prayer of thanks before moving on to the new year. For those of us who have good food to enjoy, let’s appreciate our bounty and realize how fortunate we are. Say a prayer of thanks before moving on to the new year. For those of us who are able to give and receive gifts, Let us recognise the real gift of that ability. Say a prayer of thanks before moving on to the new year.

The New Year is a wonderful time in and of itself - opportunity to start fresh, begin with a clean slate, set new goals - but as you look forward to tomorrow don’t forget to look back and see the value of yesterday. We must not be in such a hurry to get on to the next thing that we disregard the last thing that we were so eager to get to. 

“I can’t wait for Christmas!” is heard often in homes where children reside but how often do we hear “Wasn’t that a fun day? What was your favorite part?” shortly after it has passed? Like Black Friday following on the heels of the day we declare our gratitude for what we have, the days just after Christmas seem to suggest we have forgotten what we were so excited about to begin with. All of the best and most important things about Christmas don't stop or go away once the clock strikes twelve. As we march into this New Year, let us do so knowing we have been blessed.

From all of us at The Adventure Letters, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!