It is true that I LOVE the "stuff" I do for Christmas. When we stop loving the doing, we need to step back and see if we are taking on too much (as one who speaks from experience).My mother enjoyed creating the (Narnia) magic, as I do, as does my daughter... although don't talk to her about children and Christmas trees right now. :)
Ahhh... the living room/dining area looks lovely. The tree has been decorated with favorite ornaments (many which brought sentimental tears) and a few snowmen have been placed around the house.
The bottom branches now devoid of ornaments remind me a furry friend is in the house again. As Sasha and Storm grew from middle age to elderly old ladies, the tree offered no temptation... Victoria finds everything entertaining.
This year there are boxes I didn't even take off the shelves so other rooms will not be quite as festive. Even with hubby's help the pain in my left shoulder and arm is unavoidable so wisdom tells me to be satisfied with good enough.... which is... beautiful.
With the decorating of the tree, my Advent begins... the early morning quiet times with coffee as the tree brings light to the darkness and the Word is Light to my journey. Evening hours reading and resting, the same lights and beauty now providing balm for a tired soul.
I will take some pictures when the camera has new batteries. Poor thing, I wore it out taking pics of autumnal scenery.
This is a quiet season of life, one I could not imagine with preschoolers in the house. As much as I miss having children at home... quiet can be good when you are a grandmother. :)
Picture: Nostalgia-mini: allposters.com
6 comments:
I'm struggling to find any enthusiasm for decorating this year. For the last few years, it has been work and not joy, although the finished product has been lovely - then I dread having to take it all down again. I don't think I'm lazy and I love colored lights. In fact, there is a string of colored lights around my living room ceiling at the top that is on every night of the year. So maybe I don't feel the necessity to decorate for Christmas, since I have everything decorated the way I want all the time. There are a number of things this year that just have me deep in the doldrums, very deep.
Brenda, could you enlighten me about the problem with your arm and shoulder?
Ah, I so agree...we love special times with grandchildren, but the quiet when we are just us oldies is indeed golden too!! We have one of our grandchildren today for a sleepover...one was here last week and the other sibling hopefully will come this week too. Precious times...but ones that remind us we are no longer spring chickens too! We relish the time alone with each one and they too, having the attention of TWO adults at once!
Blessings on your day, Elizabeth
Amen to the quiet and grandmother comment!!!! ROTFLOL Love~Sharon
Dear Suze,
I think I have been where you are right now. Sometimes the cares of the world just weigh us down, and it is hard to manufacture joy on our own. I think the thing that helped me through it was realizing that God is really in control, inspite of our circumstances. I am not saying the problems go away, but when I focus my mind on Him, and the reason why we celebrate, it gives me hope that things will be better.. Of course it also helps to help others who are going through struggles too.. Some of my darkest days were lifted when I shared of myself with other struggling people.. Praying that you will find joy in the midst of a difficult time!!
I'm with Suze I'm struggling with Christmas this year. I think with all the changes we've had with 2 of our boys (both with disabilities) moving out, it just doesn't seem the same. I did manage to order a few gifts last night through Sears. Hopefully the magic will come back because I have always loved Christmas.
btw - your daughter is beautiful. Hugs..
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