Well, here we are. The night before .. the night before Christmas.
All is calm, all is bright. OK, for the most part :).
Hubbs is happily on vacation already but I’m not until tomorrow afternoon; the boys will be finished with work mid-day, and the wee ones … well the wee ones are SPENDING THE NIGHT!
And you need to know .. that right there – THAT– is my Christmas gift.
Don’t need a present. Don’t need the tree. Just need my peeps, here with me.
The wrapping’s done, the fridge is stocked. Whatever we don’t have, well, we won’t be shocked.
We’re gonna sniggle in and snuggle up, play cards and laugh, sing Christmas carols and say prayers and watch for red noses and roll — roll in the fact that we’re together – thankfully – again. It’s been a tough year in many ways; a year of growth and a year of losses, too. But, more than anything, there’s gratitude.
Gratitude for the most precious of gifts: a babe in a manger, bringing hope to the world.
Gratitude for family and comfort, traditions and joy.
And good friends who will be missed by all.

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care and Frankie the old dog was asleep in his lair ..” Christmas 2012; an emjayandthem photo
Merry Christmas, friends. – MJ