Haec ornamenta mea

Merry Christmas! I wish you all the joy, peace and love of the season.

We were up fairly early today-no surprise there!- but the kids don't really appreciate the excitement yet. But they picked up on the reactions from the adults. My niece was the official present- opener for everyone. She seems to believe that all gifts are hers. It's fun watching her with the gifts, carefully ripping open the paper, and examining the contents. She loves her new doll and has only put it down to eat or to open gifts. I'm glad she likes it. My nephew got a new set of cars, and is happily playing with the box... the house is in a bit of disarray, but it's all good. Breakfast was late, but filling- all of the traditional dishes in evidence. We're now having a little pause while dinner is in the oven and the children are having a short map.

I spoke with my boys this morning. They're also having turkey (lunch for a week LOL) and Jerry was happily biting his gift. He ignored me, as he has all week. I'm getting used to being ignored by everyone- my little puppy, my niece and nephew... I'll have a major complex after this! Although the kids are now comfortable enough around me to use me as furniture! I am enjoying my stay, as you can guess. We will miss each other when I return this week. My next trip will be easier, as they'll have a memory of me and they will be older.

The rest of the day was a lovely family-oriented time. We talked with the families in Trinidad, with friends back in Ottawa, loads of text and email messages, opened presents (I wore my new "ugly" Christmas sweater for most of the day), watched movies and-naturally- ate. It has been a lovely day, all in all, and well worth the trip, even with the persistent pain. I've got 5 more days to enjoy my family, and I'm extremely happy and thankful for them. I will (obviously) be happy to return to my boys, but meanwhile I'm immersed in the present.


One of the memes I received was one of the "keep Christ in Christmas" things that proliferate at this time of year. I think that it's necessary to emphasize that we get what we give. So for a Christ-filled Christmas, we need to make time and space for Him. That would reduce the time available for complaining about commercialism and all those ills. It's much better to fix your little area before condemning others. Just a thought... May you and your home be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness and every blessing. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!


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