When you get older your perspective changes.
Holidays are not about the presents. You can buy your own in a color you really like.
It’s not about crowds of people because you can’t connect with anyone in a crowd.
It’s not about insane activities. You’ve seen and done all that. A 50th version of the Nutcracker Suite holds no interest. (Although a 50th viewing of White Christmas at home with a loved one does.)
We’re past the parties. We haven’t been invited to a real Christmas party in years.
So what are the holidays about?
Reflection. Gratefulness. Hope.
So much happens each year – some good, some bad. The bad always takes center stage but the good is there in spades.
The good comes in small packages that often go unnoticed — a new crop of cardinal babies or baby rabbits munching on my new spring plants. (How can you get mad at that?)
Silly squirrels and chipmunks racing around the pond. (Me with a net ready to fish them out if they slip but they never do.)
Frog eggs in the pond that turn in to tadpoles.
A chore that goes away because someone else did it.
A stranger buys you a drink at Starbucks for no reason. They don’t even know if you’re naughty or nice. They just do it.
Cat purrs when you’re sad.
Just when you think that the bleak winter will never leave, Mother Nature pushes out leaves and makes everything green again (and just in a nick of time!).
Ripe tomatoes picked from your own garden (enough said).
Intimate dinners with a few people so everyone gets to talk and catch up. (More importantly I can hear everyone!) That’s when you feel the connection.
Family that you know will be there if you need them. With bells on. (And maybe some strudel.)
Best of all, having a good year with you! We’re healthy. All synapses snapping (mostly). Intimate pizza lunches at the mall (I always was a cheap date). Wrestling for control of the TV remote (you fall asleep!).
It’s the normal routines that bring peace and tranquility.
Merry Christmas to the beloved husband.
I love the normal routines. (And I also love White Christmas!)
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The holidays are for children. I love the excitement in their eyes as they open their presents….but then even at a young age they find joy in simple things like – “grandma, can I have this box to play with”?
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I used to love the really big boxes! You can do a lot with them!
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It’s everything you wrote, Kate. But especially the strudel. Nice post.
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Especially the strudel.
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You made me smile. And hug my own hubby. My words this holiday have been – love, light & kindness. Almost a mantra. Wishing you love, light & kindness, this holiday season and through the next year.
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Thanks!
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Hope you and your guy had a grand time yesterday, Kate . . . full of warm and wonderful laughter.
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We did complete with a nice nap.
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You are so right about how we change with age over this stuff. The excitement and overstimulation are the worst. The little things the very very best! Ask Kana: she got a BOX yesterday and it has crumpled paper in it for nesting!!! Merry and happy to you! xo
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When I was a kid we got a new refrigerator and it came in a huge box. Best present ever!
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What a great toy! What did you do with it? I would have made a puppet stage!
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I think we made a fort. Fortunately it was summer because it was too big for the house.
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I loved forts! If you don’t want a link here feel free to delete. I remembered a fort post I wrote lol! https://writersite.org/tag/childrens-forts/
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Merry Christmas Kate! I’m all about little blessing and big hearts.
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The simple things. Sitting with my morning mocha latte. Happy!
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Reflection. Gratefulness. Hope. We truly could not ask for more!
Merry Christmas, Kate!
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Thanks!
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Aw…you’re right, Kate. Spending Christmas with the one we love, is the greatest gift. Merry Christmas!
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An Eagle win during the season helps too.
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You nailed it with this one Kate. It really is about just the two of us old sweaters! (Old, not ugly!)
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Thanks! Speaking of holiday sweaters I still have a box full. Will they ever come back?
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I’m wearing one I gave to my mother more than 20 years ago. It’s beautiful. I reclaimed it when she died, and now I get to feel her around me. 🙂
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That’s wonderful! My mother never wore sweaters of any kind. She was also too hot.
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I love this! Merry Christmas Kate ❤ I am 29 but I already don't like going out on Christmas eve or during the holidays haha…
I actually told everyone that I don't wish to be involved in any social gatherings during my two week staycation and will see them in the new year :p
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Good for you! I’m pretty sure I felt like that at 29 but felt compelled to “do the holiday thang!”
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You’ve said it all, Kate. A wise woman.
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More old than wise. There is something to be said for experience.
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Reflection. Gratefulness. Hope…..you said it sista!
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You betcha!
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A lovely reflection and tribute to the man or your dreams and reality Kate 💕
Mine is downstairs starting to prepare for our feast for 2 this afternoon! Lots to be grateful for 😊
Merry Christmas 🌟🎄🎅
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So funny. My husband is cooking for 2 this afternoon too!
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This made me tear up !
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Thanks! Having a reader feel emotion is the best gift of all.
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We do have a lot to be grateful for… and none of these blessings came in a box wrapped with colorful paper. We get to live them every day – how great is that!? Christmas greetings from SoCal to you and your family. Stay warm!
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Oh SoCal. Nice and warm. Today is really a nice sunny day. It’s even warm-ish.
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The words to a song say it so well…”may your days be merry and bright!” And so whatever it takes to do that, I wish to you. Happiness to you both!
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Thanks and I wish you a year of happiness and good health!
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Growing older does have some advantages doesn’t it Kate? Merry Christmas to you and your beloved! ~Elle
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It does. Too bad it has to come with wrinkles.
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Good points all. Being with the insane crowd of family does make me miss my quiet house. But oh, leaving the view of the snowy mountains will be difficult. Especially after the sunrise this morning!
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Suck it all in so it lasts a long time!
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Merry Christmas to all of you, (the cats included). Your list of the true Christmas blessings is so true and beautiful. Celebrating with the Wisconsin branch of your family!
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Sending the blessings of the season out to you all!
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Merry Christmas Kate! And many blessings in 2017. Just like the ones here.
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Thanks! May you find a solution for your pup!
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Hopefully, the medicine coming this week will be both the definitive diagnosis and the answer. Paws crossed.
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You are so right. It is the little things that bring joy and wonder that help make the holiday season–with the special loved ones–so wonderful. Merry Christmas!
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Thanks and Merry Christmas to you!
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that was so great to read… I agree… to be together and to love each other is more than any gift we can buy in a store…. merry christmas :o)
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And it’s so much better with furry critters that brighten the season (and increase the work!). Giveittotheweimaraner!
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