When the children were small and our house was full of noise and rambunctious little ones, I asked for the same thing for Christmas each year: peace and quiet.
Now that they are all grown and gone, out on their own, one would think that there would be plenty of peace and quiet to go around. Not so.
It seems that – at least this year – I have passed myself coming and going and spent a lot of time chasing my tail. It also seems I haven’t gotten very much accomplished. The work on the Ferguson House is slow and fundraising for it could be a full-time job, except I already have a full-time job.
I haven’t done nearly enough reporting on hot button topics, like crime, politics and drugs, or sports, which is what most people want to read about, or talk about.
And there are still all my hobbies and projects that I am in love with, quilting and raising my garden and chickens. I didn’t get near enough done, always short on time, energy and money. Yet, my big hope for next year is to start a farmer’s market in Watonga. More on that later.
But for right now, for this week, the 51st in the year, I am carving out some peace for myself. The papers are planned. The calendar is set. My holiday shopping, such as it was, is completed. Everything save one package has been delivered. There is a tiny bit of wrapping to do, but not a lot.
That means time, time that has no claim on it. Time to sit and think or noodle on a project, or plan for the upcoming projects. Time to straighten out the sewing room and sort what is needed for this or that. Time to work on a spur of the moment idea. That’s been missing for a while.
And time to think about what the end of the year means. That this is when the Prince of Peace came to Earth. Time to be thankful and praise him for all those crazy busy days that have filled the year. For our health and recovery from illnesses.
For all the things that make up life that we take for granted. This is the time to stop and be grateful. Just stopping and being still, thinking thankfully can create its own peace and quiet.
Merry Christmas to all our readers and followers. Here’s looking forward to another year spent chasing my tail.