THE END

It's the end of another year.

It's time to celebrate.
It's not just the anticipation of a New Year but it's my birthday.
I waited all this time to celebrate.
I don't have to grow into the next year until the very end.
Nice.

It's also a sad time.
Friends are slipping into heaven unexpectedly.
Yes, they are a bit older than me . . .  but why so many this past week?
What is it about the dark, cold, windswept days that tell our senses not to linger any longer on this earth?
It is the 'winter' of our lives for many of us.

There is something that draws us to the end . . .  of a year . . . of our lives . . . that draws us into a cocoon-like state.
I find myself curling up by the warm fire as my eyes linger on the dance of blue and yellow flames.

Part of me dies - that early morning zest that springs me out of bed on a warm sunny day.

I linger inside more than I ought so as not to be stung by chilly winds and icicle-cold weather.

Yet, I always look forward.
Light is already peaking out of the clouds a little more each day.
The New Year will bring new adventures, new ideas . . .  new life.
I walk into tomorrow a whole year older and learn to write a new number for the year.
I anticipate brighter days that will, in time, turn my attention to Spring . . .  then summer.

The End is never really the end.
There is always a new beginning.
As I anticipate new adventures while I remain on this earth, I also anticipate a glorious life beyond this world.
I am healthy and happy and content just where I am.
I know the 'end' will never truly be the 'end' for me.
God is with me.
Heaven is simply another place to reside.
Yet, for now, I embrace the New Year with hopes and dreams and a sense of anticipation.

HAPPY NEW YEAR . . . they all tell me.
Indeed, it IS a new year for me as I celebrate one more birthday.

I know it will be a good year filled with new discoveries.
I am already creating ways to celebrate each new day.
I sip tea and eat a few extra cookies.
 I unwrap the gifts ever-so-slowly sensing the love that my sister packs inside every package.
 She is so faithful to send me surprises every year.

Hubby also surprised me with an adventure at the theatre.  We never go out on this crazy night but this year we are defying all odds and stepping out into the chilly abyss they call winter.

It's all good.
Let us Celebrate this New Year as we embrace life to the fullest and then . . .  when it is time . . .  we can say . . .
The End.

THE DARKEST NIGHT

It should be cold, this shortest day, with light so scant we barely see.
Yet, as we walk outside we find, no need of coat for you or me.

The springtime temps are a great surprise, this shortest day amid clear blue skies.
OH JOY! I shout, as I embrace the day, 'tis a wondrous God who changes nature's way.

The snow melts slow under cloudless skies, the sun shines too bright for unmasked eyes.
We know this time will be too short, as dark sneaks into this little port.

We turn on lights and snuggle in, knowing shadows creep through light so thin.
Tonight we give our thanks to God, for a day of Spring where winter has trod.

Today IS winter, they all say, I beg to differ this balmy day.

Tomorrow will be more of the same, yet a pinch more light will be God's aim.

And then the winter cold sets in, but darkness lessens as each day begins.
I wait with patience for the True Light to shine, as we celebrate Christmas in this darkest time.

Praise God we have our Savior's Birth, to celebrate with all joy and mirth.
Praise God He is with us each day, in hearts that invite Him in to stay.

O Wonder, God's begotten Son, Jesus, Our Lord, the only One,

Who fills our hearts with love so grand, that we, being filled, can barely stand.

As we praise God for Jesus' birth, and fill our souls with this season's mirth,
Let's all rejoice and sing and shout as night grows deep and lights go out.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, let the True Light shine let the darkness glow.
May we all enjoy this winter balm with peace and love and eternal calm.

As God's Light peaks through each darkened life and rests the soul that is in strife.

This darkest night need not be sad with God's son, Jesus, can make us glad.

I can try to rhyme for days on end but I think the mind would begin to bend,
to other thoughts and things to do . . .  so blessings to all from me to you.

A QUIET TIME

December is suppose to be filled with the frenzy of preparation for celebrations.
Hanukkah began the night before Thanksgiving day.
I was told this would not happen again for 730 years so I am glad I was around when this happened.

Thanksgiving was so late that we jumped right into decorations and lights and trees for sale.
I missed it all.
I returned from a conference with a bad cold and have been nursing it as much as I can.
It has laid me low and kept me from swirling with everyone else as this 'Season of Advent' becomes frenetic.
I'm glad I am laid low.
I have had time to rest, as much as one can when blowing one's nose.

I linger a little longer with e-notes to people.
I close my eyes and hours fly by.
I awake to the trickle of raindrops gently soaking the earth.
What a gorgeous Fall and easy winter we have had so far.
The days open late under hanging clouds.
Night dark closes in so early that I wonder where the day went.
That's OK.
I'm staying quiet.
I'm being still.
I'm just being.
I have to let go of shopping and cards and decorating.
I have no choice.
I am glad I am taking advantage of the quiet part of December.
I look forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus.
Yet, for now, I am glad to simply sit and sip tea with honey and close my eyes and linger in quiet.