Some down time at last

Another Christmas Day is here. Time to reflect on the year and on those who have made an impact on me. Today is perfect. The snow is falling lightly, just enough to make things look festive outside but not enough to really impede travel. We will be spending time today with good friends and family. We spent Christmas Eve in Wisconsin with my sister and her family. My sister and brother-in-law led the music for the Christmas Eve service and it was beautiful as always. God has given them musical talent that they use to make others happy at this time and throughout the year. One of my nieces got engaged, and it is hard to imagine that since it seems like just yesterday that I was holding her in my arms as a baby.

The cookies are baked, the other food is prepared, and we are relishing the quiet and down time. We have seen more movies in the past couple of weeks, which shows that we are trying to make time for our "dates." We saw The Hobbit, which is good but so far not as inspired as the Lord of the Rings. Perhaps we are all too jaded and spoiled from that magical trilogy. We also saw Skyfall, which is probably my favorite James Bond movie to date. I wonder what it means that I liked it more than my husband, who is the hard-core James Bond fan? If it appeals more to women, is the Bond genre losing its "edge"?

So as we head into another new year, I hope you all find peace and contentment through this holiday season, remember those who are gone fondly, and treat others kindly. For that is really what matters in the end.

Time to slow down

This time of the year usually feels so rushed. This year I am going to try to slow down and enjoy my friends and family. The decorations are up, the gifts have not been bought yet (but that's OK) and I have begun my annual baking today.

Keeping things in perspective is important. I think about the strife in the world and feel blessed to live where I do in a free country, despite our political divides. As a former journalist, I watched yet another decline in journalistic / media civility this week when some radio hots made a prank phone call to the hospital where one of the British royal family was, and a nurse subsequently committed suicide, apparently over the call. Perspective. It's important.

Enjoy the holiday lights. Enjoy your families, Enjoy your friends. Be happy to be alive. If you have good health, be grateful for that. If you have an extra few dollars, give to a non-profit that helps others. The feeling you have at this time of year is more important than the things you have. Slow down and enjoy.