Well, it's official--this is the strangest holiday yet. I'm sure all of us feel the same. On Christmas Day we piled our gifts outside and lit two fires for warmth. Mr. Wiggles was in great demand due to his soft fur coat and body heat. He took turns snuggling under each person's lap robe. Only a lump gave away where he was sleeping. We tried shooting baskets to keep warm but the chill had stiffened our fingers. By the time we came inside and the family went home, everyone was chilled to the bone. It took hours to really feel comfortable again. It was like apres ski without the ski.
Does this sound like complaining? It's not. I am so grateful to be alive this Christmas. Life is no small thing this year. As of this moment 331,129 families in the United States have sacrificed someone they love to Covid. This week one of our family members woke up feverish. It took 3 negative tests to calm her panic. She mothers a family of five.
Christmas here is longer this year too, as we meet with only two or three family members at a time and try to wait for a warmish day. Christmas Eve didn't bring the snow we wanted, just wind and rain. So we moved our small tree to the garage and draped the rafters with clusters of lights the tree couldn't accommodate. Crockpot chili was the dinner. No complaints about that either. We are lucky to be in-town grandparents to part of the family.
Like everyone else, we zoomed, face-timed and sent photos and videos around.
I do feel like Emmanuel has come this year again. The pandemic hasn't changed that. We've had time to whisper our prayers, to live abundantly in spirit in spite of it all, to breathe the fresh winter air along with the wood smoke. To tuck in with the night.
Wishing the best to everyone in the world's big family, Nina Naomi
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