Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Christmas 2006



This was taken shortly before Athena stole the show at church on Christmas Eve. The little minx insisted on dancing, prancing, and generally doing everything short of crawling into the manger at the children's Christmas Eve service. Her only saving grace was she was quiet about it. Sam was a little sweetheart -- spent most of the time giving me hugs and kisses and calling me his "little sweetie" as he often does.

Our holiday was marked this year by the huge emotional rollercoaster that is 4th quarter retail. Thanks to everyone who bought something (anything) at Quimper Sound this season. Steve works so hard leading up to and including Christmas Eve and then we get about 36 hours off to spend with family and right back at it. We were both up and out to work at 8am Tuesday morning; December is a very busy time for nonprofits too.

As I talked to some friends about our various Christmas experiences, I was grateful for a deepening spirituality that has bloomed during the last year. I found myself wishing I was at the adult service so I could concentrate on the sermon rather than the children's Christmas pageant. For the first time in a long time I didn't feel conflicted about the season and its spiritual component. I enjoy shopping for gifts but we really scaled back this year and it was totally fine. I relaxed my expectations and focused on enjoying my friends and family. So although it was stressfull, it wasn't *insane* as it sometimes can be. And the stress wasn't really related to the holiday, except insofar as retail is always related to this time of year.

Merry Ho Ho, one and all. Posted by Picasa