In the excitement that is building in my house, I find comfort. The crackle of Christmas energy has arrived with much anticipation on the part of two young men that also lay claim to this house -- this home. Christmas this year, in reality the whole year, has been such a growing experience for the entire brood. We have held fast and have managed to come out of the learning curve all intact.
The lack of financial resources has made the traditional gift giving experience, well, an experience. We have learned ... or in some cases relearned ... that it is not about the material items that are exchanged, but the spirit in which the love is renewed.
This is not to say that the gifts that will be exchanged aren't welcome. They are. What began as a meager fare, has increased fourfold due to the charity of others. The traditional children's dance around festive packages, amid ornaments and other holiday paraphernalia, has reached an almost frenzied state. Corners of packages have been carefully lifted and then hurriedly stuck back down -- an attempt to glimpse the forbidden fruit. It seldom works, but does add to the fever of the holiday.
Calls have been made to reach out to others that may be in need of Christmas cheer, and invitations extended to those who have not found a corner of cheer. In our shifted focus, we have found the true meaning of the season ... the great gift of sharing love, and a renewed sense of the greatest gift to us all. That is, the love of an almighty parent, creating a life that will grow into the greatest earthly giver of love and compassion.
Merry Christmas to all.
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