Today is the first day of Winter. Friday is Christmas. Wow, hard to believe!!

The picture for this week is new yet everything in it is old. The train board and trains as well as the rug protecting the table are my mom and dad's dating back to 1940 when they were married. The toys around the trees were accumulated over many years as throughout their married years and our childhood years, we would give out what were called Shakeys to each other, a tradition we carried on with our children. We would draw names, buy a shakey for the person whose name we drew and on Christmas eve would shake the gift we were given and guess what was in the package. The one who guessed right got a cookie.

For some this may sound childish or a waste of time. So sad. To me, Christmas is a time of joy, happiness and remembering. Each year, as I put up the tree, put the old toys underneath it and run the old trains, I remember the good times and how blessed I have been. I remember people who have made me the person I am today, not only immediate family but friends along the way.

I also think about the one whose birth we celebrate on Christmas, born, not to the rich, famous, or wealthy, but to a young mother in a barn. I think about his life, how he lead it, and the tremendous impact that birth and life have had on the world since that time.

As we celebrate Christmas on Friday, let us remember those folks who have made us who we are. Even if we are sad, let's look back to the joys we have had. Let us also keep in mind what we are really celebrating: the birth of someone who, although lived 2,000 years ago, has impacted every one of us throughout our lives. I shared the following link a couple of years ago and do so again. It is called One Solitary Life. (Just click it.)

Have a Merry Christmas