Christmas in My Dreams...

Remember that sad World War II Christmas ballad, I'll Be Home For Christmas? It seems like my theme song for these past few years, based on the line "...if only in my dreams."

Today, I salute everyone who is away from their loved ones on Christmas, especially those who are in harm's way. May you find something to make you smile, may you realize that you have friends who will stick closer than a brother, and may that peace that transcends all understanding guard your heart and your mind.

I do miss my parents and my four sisters and their families at this time. I miss getting together and having everyone in my kitchen - even though it was always Mom who brought the most important stuff. (Please don't tell her that I serve instant potatoes and canned cranberries down here in Tennessee!)

I miss those magical Christmases that beckoned us to come outside with hot cocoa and sleds. I miss having all the spouses and kids running around the house and cheering over football games. I miss the noisiness of it all; even if the parties required my sweet, quiet husband to decompress afterwards in a dark corner with muted video games. :)

"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you… yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand." -- Mother Teresa

Thankfully, no distance or situation can take the spirit of Christmas away. Although I dream of the day that peace prevails over every family and world gathering, I rejoice that God became flesh and lived among us, and that he chose to never leave us as orphans. I'm thankful for my friends and family in our little home, in this little town. And I'm thankful for you. This Christmas, I'll see you in my dreams - and Mom will have brought enough food for all of us!

Till next time,

Merry Christmas.