Skipping Christmas?

I just returned home from an evening of Christmas music and holiday goodies with the staff at Our Saviors (the first evening of two). It was a nice night with new friends. Good food and company.

But as I sat there tonight, I realized I kind of feel like skipping Christmas.

Now I'm not talking about ignoring the celebration of Jesus' birth, but I'm talking about some of the other stuff.

As much as I try--and will continue to try--this year won't feel like Christmas. No family and lifelong friends. No snow. No tree. Not even fondue, Name That Tune with UB, and present opening on Christmas Eve.

My holiday will revolve around church and lighted cactus. Now this doesn't mean it won't include good food and fun festivities, but it won't be the same.

I keep trying to think that my next Christmases will be different but many pastors--young and old--have been honest with me about the whole situation and have shared that this is pretty much it. Not that there isn't good in it, but they've said, and I know, that Christmas will be different from here on out.

And of course, it didn't help that my gmail account was flooded tonight with pictures from home like this one:Good ol' Popparoni and Kugroni with our new tree and an identical sign to the one I held up in front of the Taj Mahal three years ago this December.

Ok...enough wallowing. Tomorrow's a new day. It begins with the WELCA Advent Breakfast. At least I don't have to cook or do dishes.

Peace and Grace--

HGJ