Monday Morning Coffee-Christmas Week Edition!

Good Monday morning! And Happy Christmas Week! Well, here we are, my friends, waiting at the entryway of the most blessed and cozy time of the year. For many of us, arriving at this point has been both tiring and fun. The days of planning, list-making, purchasing, wrapping, baking, decorating, cleaning, and organizing are over. Not to say they are complete. I still have some gifts that won't be here in time. My nails haven't been painted that festive red color I bought when I was ambitious. My laundry pile is overflowing, and the dust bunnies are about ready to celebrate their own holiday. Time has gifted me perspective, though. Those things that would have sent my younger self into a tailspin are but a mere afterthought now. And for that, I am grateful.

I think of what I have done to prepare our home and family for Christmas, and I am content. The work was shared. The expectations have reduced. My family reminded me that what they wanted wasn't a redo of the traditions from past years. They wanted time together as a family. And they all pitched in to help. This Christmas will be the first Christmas of my entire life where I won't hear my beautiful momma say, "Hello, Billie Jo! Merry Christmas!" I won't hear her voice, see her smile, or touch her hand. But I have her strength and joy in my soul. And the peace that comes from believing she has a front-row seat to the celebrations this year. 

Christmas always tugs at our hearts. Along with all the fun and joy, it brings with it memories of years past. I am choosing this year to do what I think best honors my dear mom and dad, creating happy, fun, cozy days with my family. And so, as we wait for the moment we walk into these precious few days of Christmas with our families, closing the door on the world outside, I feel happy and content. And ready! Ready for early mornings that look like this.

Afternoons with sights like this...

And evenings that end like this.

Merry Christmas Week, my friends! Enjoy!

Billie Jo