Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry, merry

December calls for thoughtful days. It's so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle. We are about to celebrate Christmas. We have parties to go to, with office mates and family and friends. Another year is about to come to a close.

Last year I spent most of this season in the hospital, with Dave. We cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal and carefully packed it into containers and lugged it to his hospital room (along with the family china, of course). It was not exactly hot, but it was delicious.

We bought a wreath for Christmas so the room smelled like pine and we brought stacks and stacks of cookies, coffee and food for the staff, and savory bread pudding for ourselves. We got permission to bring our feisty little terrier in for the day, so that Dave could see her for the first time in months. There were very few gifts, just a couple little things, a book here or there. There was no sea of wrapping paper, no endless rounds of opening and thanking. Just lots of food and coffee with real cream and our favorite Christmas music. Lots of teasing and laughing. We were so very grateful, awed by the amazing gift we had been given, that Dave was still with us, that we were all here together. There was no room for anything else.

This year we strive to bring that same joy and simplicity to the day. I will wake early, drink spiced tea, cook breakfast, open simple gifts and remember that we are all so very lucky in so many ways.

To those of you who are celebrating, Merry Christmas! We're heading down to be with our families. I haven't decided if posting will be regular or sporadic next week. We'll just have to wait and see.

17 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas! Your family has been through some tough moments and I think you deserve some time to just enjoy the people you are with. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family!

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  2. you are so right.

    i hope you have the most beautiful of holidays and may all of your christmas hopes, dreams and wishes come true. Merry Christmas!

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  3. Merry Christmas! :)

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  4. Merry Christmas. I hope it is just as wonderful and peaceful as you describe.

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  5. a beautiful post! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  6. Some really lovely thoughts, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
    -kat

    http://heartandcrafts.blogspot.com/

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  7. sounds like a perfect plan for the holidays-- simple! I, too, plan on some quiet christmas morning time with chai and knitting. happy holidays!

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  8. I wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas, filled with precious quiet times, laughter, and love.

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  9. Thought I would share with you some photos of my little sister's wedding. Have a great Christmas x
    http://www.cricketwife.com/2009/12/french-wedding-in-tasmania.html

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  10. hoping your holiday was blessed in every way.

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  11. So well written. It's important to remember and celebrate the important things in life. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

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  12. hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have a great New Year!

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  13. You have such a lovely blog. Happy New Year!

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  14. Happy new year, wonderful Rachel! I wish you light, light, light.

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  15. Rachel wanted to pop in and wish you a very Happy New Year! You are a true treat, delightful and inspiring.

    xo,

    Miss B.

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  16. merry christmas + happy 2010 friend!
    hope we can meet up again soon!

    xo. danni

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