lingering over Thanksgiving

Snow-covered houses of a Christmas village are displayed on the fireplace.
The tree has been purchased, drug home, and decorated.
The first batch of Christmas cookies has been made.
The Christmas card picture has been taken and is being readied for the cards.
And, the Christmas shopping is underway!

These things are no different than we've done every year at this time, except this year we have some help in crossing things off the seasonal to-do list.  Sam is right in the middle of it all--hanging ornaments, carefully decorating cookies (more like dumping sprinkles onto each one), taste-testing the cookie dough (what's that about raw cookie dough not being good to eat??), making sure the Christmas village has plenty of trees, and looking oh so cute for the Christmas card picture.

Yes, the Christmas season is here and the chaos of getting "it" all done has begun.  But, my heart is lingering over Thanksgiving as I give thanks for the dark cloud that had been with me for two years, and which seemed to get darker this time of year, is lifted.  At family gatherings, there's no longer a place where Sam should be or will be.  Sam is home and has taken his place at the family table--and is eating more than his share of macaroni and cheese ;).


"Praise the Lord; give thanks to the Lord for He is good.." Psalm 106:1