It has been just the best year!  Maybe not the best year ever, but a great year nontheless.  Yes, the financial markets have tanked, people are losing their jobs and our government is a bit of a puzzle these days.   Where are we headed?  What can we expect for the new year?  I am not blind to these things but I see some real positives coming from it too.

We've become a bit lazy in this country.  Folks barely know how to screw in a light bulb because it was so easy to just pay others to take care of things.  I foresee a deeper appreciation for being able to take care of ourselves again.  I hope people can learn to enjoy the simpler things in life.  Maybe we won't all go to the movies and dinner.  Maybe we'll cook a frozen pizza and have famiy game night instead.  Instead of paying some guy to plow out the 25 foot driveway, the whole family goes out in the snow and works together.  I hope that amid the stress of these difficult times, we can learn to appreciate the things in our lives that are of real value.

If I think back to the best gift I ever got for Christmas, I draw a complete and utter blank.  Huh.  I can't think of a single thing other than a Chatty Cathy doll but I only remember that because I never wanted a darned doll anyhow. My mom wanted it for me.  No, the things I remember most have to do with the things we did together as a family, not my "stuff".  This Christmas is a good opportunity to re-prioritize, re-evaluate what is important and what matters.  Having to struggle is not romantic, nor is it a 1940's musical come to life.  It's hard and the worry and heartache are real enough.  But through it all, I hope I can slow down long enough to enjoy the fact that I have a home, although not fancy, that keeps me warm and dry.  I have a wonderful family and beautiful grandchildren, some crabby chickens now that it's cold, a couple of really homely dogs that make me laugh and pretty good health. 

Everything else, is such a bonus!  Merry Christmas and blessings in the New Year.  It's gona be great!!

*Postnote:  Our first grandson must be like his dad.  He decided to arrive a few weeks early so he wouldn't miss Santa!  Although tiny, he is a beautiful and healthy new addition to the family. How does it get better than that?