SANTA AND STARBUCKS: A Great Way to Start Christmas Day

We woke to the sounds of silence this morning.  Not a creature was stirring...

The squirrels were nowhere to be seen. The birds were resting, the geese had flown south, and children were laying still in their beds, some sick, sadly like my niece Sammy, others waiting until the magical hour when Santa appeared and all their dreams will come true. I hope this will be true for my four grandchildren. I did my share to make to happen.

We are getting ready to sit down and have coffee with my special whole grain pancakes with strawberry sauce and sugar-free syrup.  The box of chocolate can wait until later.  

I turned on the news this morning and ran into the movie, "A Christmas Story." Mom and Dad were picking a tree, and the sales man shook it and needles fell in a perfect circle. Not that one! It reminded me of Christmas' past, and I recalled my own two sons at that age and the joy of Christmas morning.  The smiles on their faces, the dinner with family, and feeling loved.  They truly were loved very much. And of course, even though they are both taller than me,and have their own families now, they are still loved just as much. Perhaps even more.  

Well, the movie is over, my reminiscing is best cut short, and get Bill his holiday breakfast. Pancakes for breakfast is a special treat for him.  And that makes it special for me.  Turkey breast and stuffing later with fresh broccoli, and we hope many phone calls throughout the day.  

Merry Christmas to all of you who are part of my extended family. Amazing how we have all become so connected. Caring for another person is best done with others. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.

Photos by Ginger Bristow Gaitor (Note the little sign on the welcoming star: BELIEVE!)