♥ Blue ✈

Santa came to our house a few hours ago. The tree is buried in gifts. Auntie B will arrive in 8 hours and then we will enjoy opening our gifts. It is late, but I am unable to go to sleep tonight without jotting down a few of the countless blessings that have touched me this busy season.

• Music. Every year the thing that most reaches down into my soul and draws my spirit closer to my God is the wonderful music of the holidays. I'm not talking about the cheesy, amusing, somewhat silly Christmas songs, I'm thinking particularly of Handel's Messiah, or the Candlelight Carol, or All Is Well, or some of the standard favorites that I will never stop loving: Angels we have heard on high, The First Noel, I heard the bells on Christmas day. These are just a few of the songs that I can hardly sing or hear without feeling joy.
• Thoughtful people. My goodness they're out in abundance in my life lately. I have so many gracious, generous, lovely people in my life who express their love and friendship in the most amazing ways. I feel cocooned with kindness this year in ways I never have before.
• Brad. He keeps surprising me even after 20 years with the insights he shares, the gentleness of his manner. The tenacity with which he lives his life. I love the wisdom he possesses in so many realms.
• My little angels. Bunch & Gator are two great-hearted kids who are tackling their challenges and struggles with a willingness to grow and improve. I love these two munchkins fiercely, and they are priceless to me.
• My Heavenly Father. Most of all Him. I am continually amazed at his patience with me when I forget him, his endless assistance when I need help, his steadfastness as I struggle to stay close to him, and the loving presence he is in my life. When I survey my life, there is no way to miss how he has influenced me. I am happy, and I am filled with love and gratitude for him.
• And finally, this Christmas morning, I am grateful for my Savior, whose life I am celebrating today. The trinkets under the tree serve to remind me of the only gift that actually matters...and it's one that we've all benefited from. I love him, and am so grateful to him. So endlessly grateful.
  

Wishing you, my dear readers, the happiest Christmas ever today!