Grateful Heart and Helping Hands

New post! Yes, it has been 12 days since my last one. Or, as my man mentioned, I should give all his money back. OK, money back? But, point taken, here I am. Tomorrow it is December. We have snow-lots of it-- and the world has an ethereal quality, where the skeleton trees have a generous coating of soft whiteness, bulking the bare branches with a downy layer for winter. The roads are atrocious, our driveway nearly impassable. But we drive for the weather and are used to taking a run at our slippery uphill all the way driveway. December is also a month of memories. Good ones, such as a wedding that took place in 1983. That makes it 28 years! Other notable ones would be the birthdays of some important people- my son and my grandson. I have a couple nieces and a nephew in there, too, along with friends' children, friends' anniversaries, wonderful things like that. Traditions that are built and lived out, passed from one generation to another, around Christmas, Advent, music, Chr...

Dawning. The morning whispers the breath of a new day, with the promise of vivid colours in the cold. Excitement builds, giggles and whispers heard in the halls as the young and not so young reach for stockings laid out with care. Sweet communion in the bedroom as all pile onto the big bed to open stockings, enjoying one another's thoughtfulness, thinking of the day to come. The 12 year old makes a wonderful waffle breakfast and we share summer's peaches and blackberries, whipped cream and of course, maple syrup. Coffee with gingerbread syrup is today's treat. Phone calls of merriment, best wishes sent over the miles and smiles for each one here. The candlelight service is one of the sweet moments of the year, where we have the story that does not grow old read once again. We share with rambunctious children, elderly who have trouble getting out regularly and many who have faith but not a regular time of fellowship. Candlelight and Silent Night sung by a choir, piano and o...