It’s Friday (finally!) – here are 5 random happenings in my world this week:
1 Stopped last night to buy Christmas crackers for our family gathering in 2 – count ’em – 2 weeks. As a Canadian, this is a British tradition we enjoyed loved as kids — one person held each end of the cracker and pulled them apart – a *POP* sound soon followed, and everyone ended up with a tissue paper hat to wear, a small toy and a joke or riddle to share. Our boys and grands have grown up with these at the table and it wouldn’t be Christmas without them!
Too much fun!
2 Tuesday at the State Capitol (which is wide open to everyone, by the way) my team and I were busy setting up Legislative interviews when a young man wandered into the studio. At first I felt a bit annoyed, because you see I didn’t really have time to shoo him out of there. But as he stood and looked around – with wonder in his eyes – my eyes softened and we ended up talking for about 20 minutes. He’s my youngest boy’s age and he told me how he’s going to Community College, working part-time, and lives with his Grandmother. He told me more about himself in those 20 min than maybe I needed to know – but in that moment he let me know he needed to be heard. It was yet another lesson to STOP – SLOW DOWN- and LISTEN. Everyone has a story to tell and sometimes you just have to stop moving to hear it.
“Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible someone ever reads.”
The Michigan State Capitol .. and State Christmas tree, blanketed in fog in December. An Emjayandthem (C) photo.
3 Still no snow. Driving to meetings and running errands is easy-peasy; it was 59F yesterday. People are out without coats. Shocking – in December. I didn’t feel any Christmas spirit until youngest boy and I decorated the tree last night. Leveraging his height, we laughed as he straightened the angel and tweaked the lights “just so.” Standing back to admire his handiwork, we both agreed that their home-made ornaments are our favorites. He put it best, “They tell our story, Mom.”
a shot of youngest boy in grade school … An Emjayandthem(C) photo
4. I’m glad today is Friday and that the weekend is not yet another runaway train. At least not yet. Hubbs is prepping for a business trip next week and he’s stressed about that, I have a full schedule, too, yet there’s so much to accomplish here at home. I think a vacation day is in order – the house to myself? Ooh ahh …. :)
and there it is
5 Talking with friends about how hectic our days are – jobs – kids – grand kids – aging parents – and BAM here come the Holidays. More and more we’re all talking about simplifying things. This simple message resonates with me:
And you? What Holiday tradition from your childhood have you carried with you? How are your preparations coming along? Are you taking any time outs just for you?
