My Christmas Card for You

12/24/2018

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go...

Those are the lyrics to the song, but in my case it's to my daughter's house I go. But I do indeed cross the Appalachee River, the Alcovy River, and the Yellow River to get there. The woods however would translate to pounding the 27 miles of pavement between my house and hers, littered with vehicles of every shape and form in the 6:30 a.m. Atlanta traffic. But just like the excitement of a child on their way to their grandmother's house, this grandmother is anxious about what is waiting for her at her destination. It's not so much the what, but the who. A smiling cherub playing the role of a tiny little girl who greets me most mornings with a "Nanaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" before she leaps into my arms and we start our day getting sissy off to school and completing all of the many tasks of a two-year-old. Throughout the course of our day I hear the endless chatter of her talking to her babies and directing them through her pretend but very real situations. She lines up her itsy-bitsy dolls on the edge of the table, then pushes them over and says "Night-night now!" Eight full hours of her all to myself...hands down, the best part of my week. The other five or so days of the week just don't compare but, alas, there are some other things that do require my attention. I've made some extra trips to her house recently, as our youngest and her hubby are in town and we've tried to be all together as much as possible. Good times. Really good times.

As Christmas is upon us and is, in fact, tomorrow, no matter how busy you've been I hope that you've taken time out of that "busyness"to stop and smell the roses -- or rather the pine, or the cookies baking, or apples and cinnamon simmering on the stove, or citrus or rosemary -- so many delicious smells this time of year! With family traditions being front and center of our activities this month, we continue in the day-to-day marketing of #our1892adventure (good news coming soon we hope!), and it seems sometimes that there just is not enough time in the day. My family decided this year to exchange small gifts with a $10 limit (Seriously? Yep!) which has proven to be very challenging! But it also makes you take time to really think about something that can be meaningful regardless of the cost. The jury's still out on seeing how I did on that one. But because I know that taking care of myself includes time to take a break from the crazy action and just sit still, I've allowed myself time to do that. I sit on the sofa with a cup of coffee or tea and take a moment to rejuvenate before tackling the must-dos and the need-to-dos. It's amazing how just a few minutes of solitude will help you to re-focus right when you think you've used up the last little ounce of energy your body and mind can produce for the day.

And always at this time of year, I like to remind myself of the blessing I have of the many friends who support me through the year and especially the ones who sit down and take time to read my blog entries. When I think of this gratefulness I feel in my heart, I try to immediately express that thankfulness in written form, and that is the main focus of this entry...to say thank you to all those whose support has gotten me through the tough and trying times of renovating homes and the occasional family crisis -- your comments and encouraging words feed my soul! As we continue on this journey, whatever the next step may be in 2019, I hope you'll continue to follow my blog because I need you! I want you! I gotta have you! And will you do me a favor?

If you know anyone who might benefit from from reading my blog, if even for just a smile or a moment of encouragement from this ol' gal who's been there, done that, and would love to encourage their day, would you please direct them to my website? I would really appreciate it.

Now, may I wish you a Very Merry Christmas, filled to overflowing with all the things that bring you joy and gladness, the love of family and friends, and a heart of gratefulness for all the goodness in your life. May your Christmas day be a time of reflection and introspection. May you see all the good around you and, if you see bad, may you have the courage to do something about it. May you find yourself healthy and happy and whole. And may 2019 be a year filled with all the same things and more!

Or, in the words of this old Irish blessing...
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Preston Family Album 2018