The Perfect Christmas Gift

Just sitting in front of the Christmas tree, listening to Handel's Messiah, and giving thanks for such a perfect holiday moment.

Quiet amidst the chaos.

Peace among the busy-ness.

Driving home a few nights ago, I headed toward the center of town. It was just dark, the stars were out and the moon was high in the sky. I could see some white twinkling lights up ahead and found the fire department all decked out with lights outlining the building and covering the shrubs in front.

Oh, how pretty. Boy, they sure did a nice job decorating this year.

Then I rounded a curve, coming up to the town green. 

And saw so. many. lights.

The gazebo, where our high schoolers all gather before the prom, was home to a small Christmas tree, lit with white lights. Evergreens all around it were strung with more white lights. I could just make out the tomtes in front of the Scandinavian shop behind the gazebo. Shining brightly, the whole scene was a beacon to travelers passing through our small town. All we needed was a little bit of snow to make it into a perfect Christmas card.

At the other end of the town green, a tall pine tree stood, lit with thousands of colored lights.  Lights strung along its long, sloping branches and winding up the trunk at the base of the tree. With the backdrop of an inky black sky scattered with hundreds of stars across the heavens, the lone pine tree stood sentinel, announcing Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!  to all driving by.

Oh my. I wanted to stop the car and just stare at our lovely town green. On the radio, a familiar instrumental Christmas song came on, filling the car with its soft melody, lifting my spirit and bringing with it such complete feelings of contentment. 

Content that I could find the spirit of Christmas in a moment. 

Not in a thing.

I think I've discovered the perfect Christmas gift. 

Moments. Burned into memory, to be pulled out years from now and enjoyed again and again.

We sponsor a Christmas tree at the library to benefit a local shelter for abused women and their children. 

They have nothing.

And need everything.

Every year I am amazed at the generosity of our patrons. 

Guess what we did a couple weeks ago? 

Gingerbreads!

Just a quick look at the construction of the Swiss chalet style homes. Can you see Santa hiding in the house that K is putting the final wall on?

More photos to come...

Finally put together the order for K's senior pics. 

Getting ready to ship them out with the Christmas photo cards. As soon as they get here.

Ack! Hope it's soon. Christmas is in less than two weeks....