December Daybook

For Today

Outside my window...

It is cold and sunny with pale, clear skies. Lots of snow and waspish wind.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere I go..."

I am thankful...

For a home that keeps me warm; a pantry full of food that nourishes me;

a husband who makes me laugh even though he keeps telling me

he doesn't know any funny stories;

for fingers that can hold a nice pen to write notes,

play the piano, or touch the face of a loved one.

Happy update about Mom...

After being in hospital for nearly six weeks, Mom is scheduled

to be discharged on Monday. She'll be home for Christmas.

Shall we do a happy dance here?

We are grateful for her improved well-being of body and mind.

She's more than ready to be at home in her familiar

surroundings and to pick up her life again.

It's a great Christmas present for her and us, her family!

Reminding myself daily...

When things in my world feel tilted sideways,

I don't need to line up all my ducks in a row.

There are things I have no control over—I can

only focus on what I can do today.

'Sufficient for the day.' God's mercies are new every morning,

His grace is sufficient in all things, His peace

undergirds everything when I lay down my frets and cares.

And I remember that joy is my strength and humour goes a long way, too.

I am wearing...

Black jeans with a black tee-shirt

and a spritz of Rose scent.

I am creating...

Quiet spaces in my day to let the Christmas spirit waft in as it will.

Whether on the strain of an old familiar carol or through a line I'm

reading or while watching afternoon shadows outside my

window wrap up another day.

I have recently finished and enjoyed...

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden

Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery

Christmas at Thrush Green by Miss Read

Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon

I am currently slow reading...

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater

Looking forward to two I haven't read yet...

Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Old Peabody Pew: A Christmas Romance

of a Country Church by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin (1907)

In my kitchen...

Yesterday there was a big pot of vegetable beef soup

simmering on the stove. Today a batch of Mom's recipe

of soft ginger cookies is almost ready for the oven.

One of my favourite things...

Finding beautiful cards and notepaper for writing

notes when the spirit moves. Especially at this time of year.

Although I don't do it as much as I used to, it still gives joy

to the sender and hopefully provides a 'happy surprise'

in a mailbox to the receiver.

I didn't have much time or energy for Christmas cards this season,

but what I did get done is now winging its way through the postal system.

Something I wrote a few years ago...

YOU KNOW WHAT I REALLY WANT
FOR CHRISTMAS?

I want to feel the magic of being five or six or seven again
When everything about the season was new and fresh and thrilling.

When I felt the tremble of expectancy as parcels
mysteriously appeared under the Christmas tree;

And the wait of three more sleeps grew so excruciating
I felt my body would burst from its skin.

When the HUSH of soft, holy moments hugged me like a blanket
As I sat mesmerized by tinsel glimmer and tree lights;

And the sweet, sweet strains of Away in a Manger
filled me with shivery delight.

Yes, I long to feel again the secret yearnings of a child's heart
for the inexpressible and the MIRACULOUS. . .

 As I wait in Wonder for the Christ Child.

* * *

Acknowledgement:

This piece was inspired by something I read in Robert Fulghum's

book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

❦

I will be staying with my mom for a while

so I won't be here on the blog for now.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas.

I hope you will find moments of "merry" even

if things aren't as perfect as they ought to be.

Heart hugs to you all,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Top) Image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay