Finding Joy in Unexpected Places.

My running came to a screeching halt a few months ago when I tripped and fell. I didn't grasp the severity of the fall and tried to get up, dust myself off and keep running or at least try to walk but it was a little more serious than that. My left wrist took the full force of the fall. A fall so strong it bounced me back about 3-4 feet onto the main road. Multiple fractures, surgery and now therapy for many months to get my hand and fingers working again.

 

It's not fun but I'm taking it all in stride and am really blessed that it was not worse: Blessed there was no traffic that morning or I would have been hit. Blessed that I am right handed. Blessed that I have a wonderful husband to help me. Blessed to be able to work from home. This forced rest period has given me lots of time to reflect and appreciate. 

Christmas is on our doorstep and I am reminded of all those out there who don't find joy in the holidays but rather it is a time of sadness, loneliness and despair - I've been there, I know how that feels. But what if?  Like this poster reads "what if Blessings come through raindrops?"

 

Joy can manifest itself in so many ways: some obvious / some unexpected. There is joy in every moment, even the hard moments. I know it sometimes is hard to find joy in the middle of difficult circumstances but if you look very closely you may find it. 

My dad passed away over a year ago. We thought it would be easier for my mom to come to our house last Christmas. And it was, but now she is spending this Christmas in her own home. I wanted to make sure it was not filled with sadness so I wanted to do something special, like dad would do. Due to my current situation I couldn't hand deliver her parcels so a mutual friend delivered my box of goodies to her. I'd like to share the exchange of emails from my mama this morning.  

Mama: "I was overwhelmed and as excited as a ten year old  when he brought your beautiful box in.... I think you and Georgia do an exceptional job with Christmas... I think it was so exciting to see all the presents around my tree that I even shook a few.. Ha Ha Ha Ha./Now that almost sounds like I have hit my Second childhood. Right?  Well, I miss your dad and all the fun he would create for me at this time of year. And I do not want to let go of that, So my children are taking over his role and I am enjoying every minute of it.  Thanks.. Cannot wait till y'all get here safely. Love Mum"Me: "This made my day. I am wrapping up an Advent Bible study and this week was about JOY. I told the group you can find joy in some unexpected places and you getting that box was one. I know all the little things dad did for you and I was afraid that wouldn't happen so we made a plan and got it done. Mission accomplished. Enjoy. Love you."Mama: "Oh Ann.. You are so special. I am crying my eyes out with tears of joy. LOVE  Mama"

My Christmas Wish for you is that you may experience Joy in the most unexpected ways. 

 

Traditions

It's Christmas. I love Christmas. The whole season. A time for reflection. A time for caring and sharing. Laughter. Surprises. Celebration. Great Food. Family. Gifts and decorations. My favorite parts of Christmas are the traditions. 
As I type I am flooded with memories of some of my favorite traditions over the years. There are the classics like getting up at 3am to run out to the tree and see what Santa brought us. Or the special Christmas cereal - the only time that mom would allow us to have sugary cereals. I always picked Frankenberry or Lucky Charms.
Some of my favorite traditions I made with Grant and Georgia. Christmas Eve is a big day for us. We can't sleep in too late or we miss all the action. We head to the mall around mid morning where we grab our specialty coffees and a comfy chair in the center, sit back, relax and people watch. This is so much fun. Some are racing around. Some laughing, Some fighting. There are the women who are all dolled up in their high heels and party hair. Others still in their pj's or sweats. We sometimes take a break from the sitting and do a little self indulgent shopping but nothing that needs to be delivered or put under the tree. After the crowd dies down we head home to prepare for our Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone has a tradition here. For us, it's wings and ceasar salad. The wings slow cook in the oven all night and we head to the Christmas Eve service at church. This year, I am singing in the service. A little nervous. The service will end with Silent Night by candle light. No matter what church we are at this is always solemn and beautiful.
We'll arrive home to the wonderful aroma of chicken and garlic roasting. The wine will be chilled. The salad tossed and we will cosy up and watch one of our favorite Christmas classics.

After years of watching our own parents frantically run around on this day we decided we would not carry the panic on. I look forward to this day with Grant and Georgia so much. It is completely self indulgent. With no expections of me or of anyone else. The hardest decision all day is, what kind of coffee will I order.