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We were all letting our delicious dinner settle before starting our other traditions. As I walked around the house with camera in hand, I noticed what everyone was doing to pass the time. Whitney-texting Trent, Taylor-drinking a Pepsi, Abby-coloring a picture, Evan-playing golf on the Wii, and I was admiring the warm glow of the house, our beautiful lit tree, Bears painted by Sue several Christmases ago, and stockings hung by the fire with care. I admired the handmade quilt made by mom last Christmas knowing she must spend this Christmas Eve in the hospital after surgery to have her leg pinned from taking a fall while diligently finishing her Visiting Teaching. Then I reminisced of jingle bells and a hearty, "HO! HO! HO!" coming from outside when my dad would arrive after playing Santa all evening during our childhood years and thereafter for the grandkids. No other Santa can compare!
While everyone was else was occupied, I stepped outside to watch the falling snow and reflect on the many blessings in my life and how grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who gave his only begotten Son to atone for our many mistakes, weaknesses, and sins, and gave us the plan of happiness, and the greatest gift of all--that of being able to be forgiven, to know we will be together hereafter with our loved ones, and the key to everlasting joy.
My heart is full of hope for the future, faith that things will always work out, and abundant love for my life, my family, friends, neighbors, and so many people who make my life better just by being in it. The rest of the evening was quiet and peaceful as we carried on the rest of our traditions of reading the Christmas story from the scriptures and opening one gift (pj's) and now waiting for the kids to get to sleep so we can finish up the day.
