Gift Fulfilment

Dear Mom and Dad.

Merry Christmas. A couple glimpses of our lives each month is my gift to you this year, so let's begin. On this final day, of the first month, of this New Year...let's begin. This month has been almost the antithesis of all the cultural cheerleading we get thrown at us come each January 1st. We have not been resolute in any Resolutions. There has been no sense of extraordinary motivation to change or break new ground anywhere. This month we've just made it. The girls have been sick, on and off, much of the month and with that our semblance of schedule has been elusive. I battle between thinking of my lack of rigidity as a person being a blessing or a curse, but today my contentment with (very) simple and (very) quiet ways served my little ill brood well. We have had lovely cool nights here, in the 40s, and so hot tea has been a comfort and enjoyment in the mornings for the over 20month-old set. This morning we had pancakes and Caroline almost out-ate both Michaela and Sophie. She is really proud of her "dip-dip" into a syrup puddle with deft use of a small fork. And then we slowly got dressed and set up in the driveway to watch for the trash truck. Yes. This was the only goal of the morning. We put out our "buckicks" and drew with sidewalk chalk until the rumbling truck came down the lane. I'm not sure if the garbage collectors know us yet or not, but they seemed awfully cheered by Caroline's passionate wave and call of "ank-ooo." We also got to observe some beautiful vultures fulfilling their calling to "cleanse the breezes." And a number of osprey soaring as well. They are all "birdeeez" to the littlest observer who seems to really love them with a keen eye. I continue to be grateful for the ample VitaminD opportunities right out of our doors especially during congested days. Much love.