Time out for Christmas

Christmas 2012 will be a quiet day.

For much of the morning the skies have been partly cloudy, but now the rain is falling gently outside in an ever-changing, cloud-studded sky. In the Bay Area winter exists only in spurts.

Our family gathering was last night, which was a change for us since we usually get together on Christmas day. We had a warm, lovely Christmas Eve dinner with turkey, stuffing, assorted pies and all the trimmings. 

We enjoyed conversation amidst the laughter and screams of the children as they followed the Norad Santa Tracker via computer.  When we left the gathering for our journey home, Santa was just arriving in Greenland, after having delivered some 4 billion presents. After calculating his arrival time, the girls announced that their alarms were set for 2:45am when they planned to awake and open their presents.

This morning our Christmas breakfast involved a trip to Gaylord’s Caffe Espresso in Piedmont where I opted for a cup of carmello (a carmel and vanilla latte topped with whip cream). Later I enjoyed the remains of my take home stuffing and sweet potatoes from last night’s dinner.

I plan to wash my hair and later this afternoon we will venture out to catch a movie.

Even without a gift given or received, without the feasting, without the camaraderie of family and friends, without church, music, lights, and all the traditions of the season, it’s truly just a day to be awake and to marvel in this big mystery, to be filled with gratitude and wonder for this amazing life.

As is every day!

I'm Just Sayin!