Merry Christmas, 2007

Well.

It is now two days before Christmas, 2007.

It is a time of each year when the swirling in our lives seems to intensify temporarily before becoming still...soft...calm. Soon, a peace will return. It will happen tomorrow about the time the sun sets and brings on the night darkness of Christmas Eve.

It's as if we have learned since childhood that now, we can only sit and wait. Just be still. Listen. Anticipate. And, hope.

It is about this time each year when I begin looking back at the past 12 months, trying to take a little inventory. I tend to focus on the good things that happened; what went right more than what went wrong. It's much more fun that way. And, because I live such a lucky life, I get to enjoy lots of smiles.

Certainly, 2007 has been a year of much happiness and joy for me. If you read any of the essays on this site, I hope that will be most evident to you.

First and foremost, my wife Annette lives inside my heart and I find myself feeling deeply enriched with her every act. Surely, if you read what is here, the way Annette envelopes me and all of those around her with joy and tenderness will be as clear to you as the hot Florida sun on a July day.

Last night before we went to bed, we sat around a fire pit outside and listened to Christmas caroles. The cloudy night's air was a little cool, making the warm glow from the fire's coals welcomed.

In the darkness of the night, Annette and I could not see our horses in their pastures and paddocks. But from time to time we could hear some of them moving and stirring. We could feel their presence, almost as if they were sitting in chairs next to us, enjoying the music of the season along with us; thinking, like us, how fortunate we all are to be here in this place.

Three of our dogs were there at our feet, feeling the fire and all curled up and asleep.

The Christmas lights were all glowing on our entry fence up the drive, as well as atop our little red barn, house, and party screen room.

A blooming moon about to be full was hanging up there, only a small slither of it visible from time to time through the thick clouds.

And, as the Christmas music flowed out over us, the fire crackled next to us, and a couple of horses whinnied and neighed in front of us, I smiled.

Merry Christmas.