The Miracles

“It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season – like all the other seasons – is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them.”  – Lemony Snicket

 

I get so caught up in the go, Go, GO of this season that sometimes I forget.  Do you forget too?

I’m trying to slow down this year, even though Christmas is only 3 weeks away.  (the calendar MUST be wrong)

What do I forget?

I feel like I forget how so very BLESSED I am.

Okay, I don’t actually forget.  That’s not right.  I forget to stop to remember.  I let so much other stuff cloud my brain.

 

The other day I had this vision of me sitting on my sofa, cushy slippers on my feet, legs stretched out clad in flannel pajamas, cup of cocoa in my hand.  I could picture the steam coming from my  mug and the Christmas lights aglow in my living room while carols played in the background and the kids all slept snuggled in their respective beds.  Near me the fire blazed brightly in the fireplace and my handsome husband sat relaxing right next to me.  But it was just a vision.  So far, anyway.

Do you have moments like these during the holidays?  Or at least strive to? If we have had them lately they have been few and far between all the HUSTLE AND BUSTLE.  (and by “we” I mean a collective “us”, not Tim and me, we have had NO moments like this so far, since he’s been working and then working some more…)

But despite all the fast-paced craziness of this time of the year I am determined to make at least a few of these moments happen.  You might say it is my end of the year goal.

 

I was talking to my sweet, older neighbor the other day.  She lives alone and is in her mid-80’s.  She asked me where we were going to be for Christmas this year and I told her we would make the trip to Austin to be with my family.  She asked me how I do it, with all the toys and just general craziness.  I told her we “just do it”.  Mostly to see our families that all live in another state.  Sure, it’s a hassle.  But for the most part it is worth it, for my kids to see their grandparents and cousins.  For us to ALL be together, celebrating that we CAN all be together and the birth of our Savior.

 

That quote up there inspires me since it is all so true.  This may sound silly but as I glanced through my Instagram feed the other day I found my beautiful life unfolding right before me in little squares.

And I found an abundance of miracles.

Friends, good food to eat, days doing what I like.  Holidays full of family and love and healthy, beautiful children.  A husband who loves me and our children and provides for us. Who could ask for more?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So yes, this season I am stopping for some relaxing moments.  I’m going to sit down on that sofa and take it all in.  Everything will get done.  I want to make sure these kids and this man and all of my family and friends know that I cherish them.

This season is for love and giving and one of the best gifts I can give is time – my time and attention and love.

 

Happy Holidays, friends.  Will you take some moments out and enjoy the miracles in your life too? If so, how?  I really hope you can!

 

P.S. I have a post up on BonBon Break about “shelving” The Elf on the Shelf”.  Check it out if you have not already…

P.P.S. Full disclosure – yes, our “Elfie” is still around this year but next year…hmmmm….