We’re enjoying a wet Christmas here in Raleigh. My nifty home weather station (a wonderful gift from a Christmas Past) showed 4 inches per hour of rain falling at one point. Usually its been a constant drizzle. Our bird feeder has been filled with soggy, hungry birds. I count no less than eight on the feeder right now, though the seed is down to the bottom feeders only. There’s no chance I’m going to refill it as long as its so wet outside.
Our Christmas was a fun one. The kids slept until we woke them at 8:30. The presents were a hit. My parents stopped by for the bulk of our present-opening. It was good to see them.
Among my gifts was a CD of train songs given to me by the Naylors. That, coupled with seeing movies of my Pa-Pa standing next to the Southern 630 steam excursion train in 1968 (now being lovingly restored by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum) had me thinking of him, and of my other grandparents and family members who are no longer with us. I think they take delight in watching the festivities from wherever they may be.
We spent last evening at my parents’ for Christmas Eve dinner. I felt quiet and a bit emotional at the start of the evening because I was already dreading that it eventually had to end. Even before it started! Life is so short, though, and if you don’t stop to enjoy it it will slip through your fingers.
I warmed up later, though, after a glass or two of good wine, a fine traditional Christmas dinner, and musical entertainment provided by my guitar-playing brothers and I with Kelly joining in on flute. It reminded me again of how Dan Zanes encourages other musically-inclined folks to just sit down and play, just for the fun of it.
I write now among a room full of happily-scattered toys. Happy kids are upstairs, napping and not napping. My beautiful wife is occasionally walking in from the office to share funny anecdotes with me. For a day at least, the world feels at peace.
I hope its the same for you today. Merry Christmas.