And so that was christmas!

One could say that christmas seems to pass all too quickly, and that was certainly the case this year.   Perhaps it is age that brings this sense of 'time flying by' that I have, but I can't help but notice that I seem to get to this time of year much quicker than anticipated.  Our family changed tradition this year, instead of doing the 'boxing day' celebration - we switched to christmas eve.

Thanks to little sister and her good husband, we were able to celebrate in their 'spacious' home.  I must confess something very strange happened!  None of us were hungry - we (the royal we as in my mother, I and my two sisters) had prepared a feast and it was not consumed.  Even the children (read - Matthew) did not 'hoover' the food.

Could it be that we have all gone healthy????  Did we suddenly just lose our appetites??? whatever the cause, as a result we have a lot of food left over.  Twas strange to say the least.  The good news is that we are all one step closer to the inevitable 'new years resolution' to lose weight - perhaps that is why - we wanted a head start on the resolution we usually break by 15 January :)

The loveliest part of that whole time is spending time with family.  I did find myself looking around the room at one stage and thinking of christmases to come.  Children to grow up and provide partners and children for future celebrations.  I then thought of how our family has grown and changed since daddy passed only 2 1/2 years ago.  One would think this would bring a bout of sadness, it didn't really.. just a sense of reflection on how time marches on as we miss those we love who are no longer with us.  As you can see below, Janne caught me in one of these reflective moments.

In the end I feel a sense of deep gratitude that I had family to celebrate with.  Sisters, mother, brothers-in-law and children to feel safe and loved with.  Really, that is the greatest christmas gift I receive and one that I would like to keep in the forefront of my mind as we roll towards 2011.

Things are just things.  Owning things gives one only a brief sense of happiness or wellbeing but family, even through all the misunderstandings, differences of opinion, and 'discussions', are the prize for a well lived life!

And so, I can say after this christmas - I have lived well and will continue to try to live well!