Ideals

The fire is roaring in the hearth and the candles flicker on the table. The tree stands brilliantly in the corner of the room, the angel on top elegant and the skirt at its feet equally so. There are Christmas cookies on a plate near the tree, hot cocoa in cups topped with whipped cream and Christmas music piped into the air like spring rain on a sunny afternoon when rainbows arch over fairy tale skies and small children giggle quietly in corners.

It is only a picture that pops up in my mind when I try to write about Christmas. I suppose it is the ideal Christmas we are all taught to yearn for and want, but the reality is actully much sweeter.

No tree gave its life so that I could enjoy it for a few short weeks. A star shimmers above my fake little tree, symbolic of the beauty and order in our magnificent world and the music that flows through my mind is so sweet that I hum along with it.

Joy comes from what is and my world is full of it in this moment.

Tis the season to be grateful for the peace that is, the food that feeds the hungry and the rain that continues to fill our ponds and lakes. The laughter of joyful people, the light that shines from their eyes and the love they share are the gifts that will endure. Anything more than this is only the tinsel and garland that adds a bit of sparkle to an already lovely moment.