Love came down at Christmas,
love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.

~ Christina Rossetti

Every adult in the house awake before the youngest one! I find Frank sitting with his coffee in the dining room by the fire, by the tree, by the presents all assembled. A quiet few moments. Coffee, fruit and anticipation. Soon enough, the magical one comes down the stairs to see what Santa has done during the night. The results are spectacular, of course. A great satisfaction for the grown ups. Waking into a Christmas that was cut short last year, and completed, in a sense, this year. We have a magical and delightful morning opening gifts. I make breakfast: homemade crepes and fresh fruit. There is much still to be done. But it’s my time to take alone on a walk with Charlie in the woods before the rest of the day’s activities are run. There is so much beautiful ice to witness. I walk thinking about the next year, what I intend for my own self, and what I know will be a year for me and Frank to pursue time together, travel, discovery, work. What changes will happen in the house, who will go, who will stay, who will come? How will I experience the changes? With a positive outlook and acceptance and trust. I find in the swampy area of the wetlands an image in the ice that I immediately see: Mary, holding baby Jesus to her breast, standing under a full moon. Charlie and I stay out for a long time, a good, hearty walk of quiet contemplation and art making. Until I begin to feel the pull of the of hosting and the house full of loved ones, and I head home. Frank and I work well with each other in the new kitchen, making Christmas dinner the way we have for over twenty years: he roasts the prime rib, peels potatoes. I make all the vegetables and finally, after he cooks the salmon, I put the popovers into the oven. I am always anxious to get the popovers in and don’t relax until I take them out and serve them. Today they are quite successful. All of the dinner is, and my brother and nieces and all of us enjoy the meal in new dining room, remembering many many Christmases together. Such a sweet time. Cleaning up in a new kitchen is easy. And our dear friends, and my Ukrainian friend, come for dessert and music made by their son, a musician, who plays the guitar and entertains us all by the fire. A very special day, indeed. And then, for me and Frank, the final clean up. We will wake to a cleaned kitchen, Christmas day behind us, another happy memory full of love and gratitude for family and friends.