Well, Christmas is over. I think that this year I enjoyed my church's Christmas Eve service most. We had a candlelight Communion service. The church was beautiful; candles down the center aisle and beautiful flower arrangements with candles and white tulle blocking off the back pews. The congregation sat all together in the front half of the pews. It was nice to sit so close to my brothers and sisters for Communion. Pastor spoke only briefly, reminding us that the baby Jesus we sing about to celebrate His birth became the crucified Jesus who died for our sins because He loves us so. As I ate the bread and drank the wine, I was so aware of the seeming incongruity of the tiny baby in a manager and the bloody, beaten Christ on the cross. The son loved by Mary and Joseph became the Christ who loved me enough to die for me. This Christmas Communion pierced my heart and reminded me just how much God loves us all.

Merry Christmas! I'm happy with myself--I've sent out my Christmas cards, and I'm finished with my Christmas shopping. Now I can relax and enjoy the season. Our Christmas cantata is this Sunday, and I'm excited because it contains excerpts from The Messiah. Now, if our final practice will go well tomorrow, I'll be ready to sing and praise the Lord on Sunday. Actually, I'll sing and praise even if the choir is not ready. Praise comes from the heart and doesn't need to be sung perfectly for the Lord to accept it.

My daughter is home from college, and it's nice to have company during the day. We've shopped, and yesterday donated some time to the dialysis center by decorating their Christmas tree. This morning, everyone was complimentary about the tree. That's a good feeling! It's a little thing, but for the clients there, it's nice to have something to look at other than a TV screen and other clients.

I'm looking forward to spending time with my whole family on Christmas Day. I always love to see my son and his family, and I hope the kids will be happy with the gifts we've bought for them. My DIL asked me to buy clothes--which I did--but I had to get toys too! The little monkey has already complained when I've bought him underwear. Apparently, he doesn't think underwear is such a great gift. I don't want to be the underwear and pj Nona. I need to keep some good reputation with the kids. So, a small toy will do that.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all!

Memories

What a nostalgic day this has turned out to be! I was planning to do just a little cleaning and to run over to the library and Publix. When I was at the library, I asked about the state of Strawberry Girl, which I've put on hold twice and twice I've not picked it up on time. Strawberry Girl was recommended to me by my daughter. She read it for a children's lit class and enjoyed it. And, surprisingly, I never read it--especially since it's about a girl in Florida.

As the librarian checked for me, she casually asked if I had ever read the All of a Kind books. I was excited! I loved the All of a Kind series when I read them in elementary school. I learned so much about Judiasm, and I was so enthusiastic about the books, I wanted to convert! Thus began my day of nostalgia. I started remembering all the books I had enjoyed so much when I was growing up. Books were my passion--I read everyday and everything I could get my hands on. Now I'm determined to pick up Strawberry Girl on time; if only to remember the enjoyment I received from the well-written books I lived for as a child.

Then, when I got home, I decided to try out the CD player. My husband, for my birthday present, finally hooked up the CD player, cassette player, and turntable so I can listen to my music again. I've waited three years for this! So, on went the music. I just picked the setting for random, so I didn't know what would play. The Beatles made the first cut--again, I was transported back to my junior high years when Let It Be, the album, came out. Then on to an early Beatles CD and then James Taylor. I've been singing along and just enjoying remembering the times of my life the music represents.

What an afternoon! I was in the mood for a little nostalgia, I guess. The dogs have not been as happy as I. I don't know if it's the music or my singing, but they've been whining and howling throughout the afternoon. I think it's me. Surely the Beatles and James Taylor sing better than I!