HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tannenbaum

Our beautiful Christmas tree!

Weihnachten

I WISH...

So...it's that whirlwind time of year again. December always starts off with Keira's birthday. This year she came home a week early to celebrate with her mom. Her actual birthday was a gathering of close friends and good times in Vancouver. Tradition dictates the Christmas decorating and tree trimming happens in conjunction with her birthday. That way we have the spirit of Christmas for a whole month. This year the twinkling of lights occurred a week early! The tree looks amazing...what a wonderful job she did! I am so happy to hand those reins to her. Maybe next year she can do the lights too. I wish...but then it has always been my job.

I am working at packing a box of gifts to ship up to Trevor and Laura in Dawson. Unfortunately they won't be home for the holidays. This will be the first year without my boy to hug and watch the joy as he opens his gifts. My heart is sad. The two of them will have to start their own traditions in their new life together. I wish...next year they can join us again.

Once that is behind me, I can concentrate on finishing my shopping for Keira and Anne as well as a couple of close friends. Menus to be planned, baking to be done and a few evenings of wrapping...and before you know it...Keira will be home again to help with the last minute things. She plans to bake her scrumptious spice cookies and I will do my shortbread...that's it. Being on Weight Watchers, I insist on keeping most of the temptations out of the house. My goal is to at least maintain the weight I lost, not gain any and if I'm really lucky...loose a couple over the holidays. I wish!

The Christmas season in our household has changed dramatically over the years. I miss the days when the whole family gathered for Christmas Eve dinner and then again on Christmas Day. What was a gathering of ten or more has dwindled down to four...this year only three. Now we have close friends join our family for the holidays.

I am more than happy to have my children take over traditions and start some new ones of their own. Maybe the day will come when the house will be filled again with the laughter and joy of young children on Christmas morning.....I wish.