As I have done for several years now I’m taking Christmas Day off from posting, so this is my Christmas wish to the world here on Christmas Eve.
Last year I mentioned family of both near and far. This year the family on both ends is as happy and healthy as can be expected, which in and of itself is a blessing and answer to the prayers expressed here and elsewhere. I didn’t really know it at the time, but there were trials and tribulations on that front over the last winter yet all seems better now.
Yet this year was also one where I was introduced to an extended family, beginning way back on Valentine’s Day of all days. That came after I met someone wonderful who is more supportive of my hopes and dreams than most would know and the gifts I give her this evening are paltry in comparison to what she gave me this past 10 1/2 months. I couldn’t think of a better person with whom to celebrate our first Christmas together.
For me, the weather won’t be as delightful as last year’s Christmas (sorry, traditionalists, it’s tough to beat a sunny 80 degrees for Christmas) but the company will be wonderful – even if tomorrow promises to be a rainy day. Those readers who were pounded with a foot or more of snow will still harbor at least the illusion of a white Christmas because, believe me, it doesn’t melt THAT fast. And looking at the forecast, my family in Ohio will once again be “treated” to a snowy holiday. Nice to look at, but traveling to see family becomes a bear at these times. I’ve had my share of Christmas plans delayed due to heavy snowstorms which always seemed to fall right on Christmas Day.
But I’m not going to complain about the here and now because we can’t do much about the weather anyway. I’m sure it was a bit chilly a little over 2,000 years ago – particularly in a stable.
So I leave you once again with my friends from Semiblind and their rendition of ‘O Holy Night’.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
