I am just so tickled by all the birthday wishes I’ve gotten!
Thank you! Thank you! Cha-cha-cha! (Apparently someone from school has been to Chili’s for their birthday and taught my crew that everything “birthday” come with a “cha-ya-ya!”)
Since our daycare provider is on vacation and the kiddos are still out of school on holiday, they’ve been riding with Mr. Fix-It each morning to visit a friend in Norfolk, and then coming home with him again. Which means I hardly see them (since they leave an hour before me and come home at least an hour after me). This would never work for me long term, but for these 3 days it means that I’ve actually gotten a bit of time to myself, which was also a nice birthday present–even if I did use it to do the dishes and make the beds. Cha-cha-cha!
I am so thankful for my time. For each precious, blessed moment with my family. I know as well as anyone can how quickly life can be ripped apart, how “forever” is gone in a moment, in a breath, without hesitation. Since the accident, my heart has cried desperately for some way to gather all my little crew and Mr. Fix-It together and never, ever let them leave my sight. It’s one reason (one among many) that I understand and appreciate homeschooling so much. That amazing, irreplaceable amount of time families get to be together in these not forever growing-up years! Oh Lord, let me never waste a moment!
“And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the father hath put in his own power.” (Acts 1:7)
I am thankful for such a wonderful holiday. It’s so tough for me to be excited for Christmas when I miss my mom and dad so very, very much. My mom loved Christmas. Loved, loved, loved it. And they loved buying presents for the kids. They would have been thrilled beyond words to have all 5 of their grandkids up at the house with the chaos and wrapping paper and utter madness of delight. It would have been wonderful in ways my kiddos will never understand or know. My heart is broken for them because they don’t even know what they’re missing. But I am thankful that God is merciful to heal us, even our broken hearts. I am thankful that He gives us laughter, joy, excitement, anticipation, and the eyes of a child to see the world fresh and new as clean fallen snow.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
I am thankful that Mr. Fix-It and I decided to leave Santa Claus behind and focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I am thankful that there is a true meaning of Christmas! That we need not buy into the rampant consumerism and infectious greed that permeates the holidays. That this is a season of hope and new beginnings. That we can turn our hearts to the great Healer and Comforter, our mighty Counselor and loving Father to find deep, meaningful growth in this season of Christ’s birth and on the threshold of a new year.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
And I am thankful that the true meaning of Christmas can never be lost.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
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