In the bleak midwinter

Moving to the north end of the USA brought a number of blessings - lower cost of living, no traffic to speak of, lovely low key neighbors and easy access to my elderly parents.

As you know from my last post, it is a mixed blessing…

It also brought a foot of snow for Thanksgiving (4th week in November), draconian recycling regs (of which I approve) a house in need of massive cosmetic renovation, and an unending list of care decisions/purchases/status meetings/and 'to dos' for my parents. All readily critiqued by siblings...

… and Christmas came anyway.

Somehow the essential house renovations got done. The Christmas tree went up and lives yet. Greeting cards got mailed. Presents were given.

When the 'Peanuts' Snoopy doll (a gift from my youngest sister) danced to Schroeder's Christmas boogie, Mumma giggled and Dad laughed. They ripped open their presents with the abandon of small children. *no careful paper saving this Christmas*

Bedecked with paper crowns, we read silly jokes, debated the answers to trivia and attempted to play tiny games.

*Neither Mum nor Dad could remember what they charged me to buy and wrap, but both were happy with the result*

No one went away hungry, sad or afraid.

The light shone in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.

To all my friends (and even my foes), may the light find you in the darkness and bring you joy.