By now most of you will have already seen this year's Gazaneo Christmas card: a second installment in an
annual tradition which we intend on keeping for the rest of our wedded lives. The kids don't know it yet, but they're already signed up to participate for as many years as we can use, coax, bribe, or force them. If we can get two 8-month old pets to pose perfectly, I'm sure kids will be a cinch. They will, right?
Since Andrew and I are speeding headlong into the holiday season with all the poise and balance of a kid running down a steep hill, gaining momentum, and realizing that the legs to torso velocity ratio is widening at a exhilarating yet worrisome rate...
...since we have already attended four Christmas events (three of which were church-related), have hosted two of our own, have a few more yet to go, are involved with the wedding of our good friends
Jon &
Melissa this weekend, have Christmas shopping still to do, and are preparing for an
annual young adult conference at the end of the month...
...since our time, energy, patience, finances, and creativity are being stretched in new and (retrospectively) humourous ways...
...yes, since all of these things, and many more, have been a bit of a balancing act recently it's with great admiration and fondness that I reflect on the simple words exchanged last night after I may or may not have burst into a mild flood of tears because of the strain.
Andrew: [hugging me] "Don't worry, La. It won't do any good."
Me: [moping] "I'm already worried."
Andrew: "Well, then...I love you."
Wouldn't it be nice if everything was raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens? Or would it? On Sunday, I preached that the word
advent came from the same Latin root as
adventure. I guess there's a reason. Until I know the reason, it's nice to have someone nearby to tell me that I'm loved. Even if I'm willfully worrying, knowing full well that it won't do any good.
He's one of my favourite things.
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
"My Favourite Things", The Sound of Music
