Winter Solstice & Christmas

Greetings All,
We have had a great holiday so far, mostly relaxed enjoyable. We celebrated the Winter Solstice with a lighted candle, reflection and joy at the slow turning of the tide of days and seasons. I have spoken to several friends and observed within myself that from Halloween to the Winter Solstice are a grouping of the most challanging days for many. It seems to be a time of reflection, introspection, sometimes sadness and grief. It's a time when our feelings lay just under the surface of our skin and the usual brushings and bumps with the outer world become jarring and sharp. The year begins to close and it can help to acknowledge its passing and the sadness that can bring. Many people still observe the tradition of keeping a fire or candle lite all through that longest night and then rise before dawn to celebrate the return of longer days.

Christmas has been very relaxed so far, I'll try to post some pics later this weekend if I can. We had a lovely breakfast at my sister Christine's and then home for a couple hours of nap and relaxing. Leo had a wonderful time playing with his cousin Gabby; he adores her and she him, so it's fun to get them together. Then we got our poop in a group in the late afternoon of Weddnesday and drove out to my other sister Brenda's for dinner and family in Minnestrista. Thanksfully we had greta weather and enjoyed out time out there, too. Leo got a couple airplane toys and a bus for christmas he has really liked and he did well with all the travel and family he doesn't see often.

We will be busy all weekend with Eric's family. Sister-in-law, Brigid, will be flying in tomorrow with Maria and Sam for visiting and I hope we get to spend some time with them while they are here, though I'm sure they will be very busy. We are sad Matt, Eric's brother, couldn't come, too, but maybe next time.

That's it for now, hopefully I'll have time soon to post some pictures and funny kid stories.
hugs to all,
Ciao!