It’s looking an awfully lot like Christmas

It’s looking an awfully lot like Christmas – everywhere but my house!

The lights are on the courthouse; the tree in the public square is exquisite; my husband even got our own house lights up and operational – down to the little squizzly trees in the driveway.

But inside the house, it’s still Thanksgiving. Beautiful fall colors; the harvest horn on the entry table – it’s all there, frozen in time.

Like so many of the sandwich generation, my life is busy beyond belief. Yes, I have the same number of hours in my day, but somehow my energy has serious limits.

And when I do get a few minutes of time, I find myself reaching out to those I love – my husband, my daughters and my friends. We share a quick catch-up conversation, and a sense of being part of a connected, significant family unit.

And isn’t that exactly what this season is about? Not the décor – I will, at some point, get the fall stuff down and the wreaths and tree up – but the people in our lives, and the blessings that we exchange as we do our very best to slow down and reach out.

My Christmas wish for you is that you take the time this season – leaving the dishes and the housework alone – to reach out, connect, and share the joy with those you love.