Tidings of Comfort and Joy

This Holiday season, more than any I recall, the concept of Comfort and Joy is exceptional.
After 3 difficult years of battling my husband's heart condition, the emotional and financial trials that entailed, you might think it is a peculiar time to feel Comfort and Joy. And Yes, we all have our difficult times, so it is not to evoke your sympathy for my own personal trials.

It is easy to dwell on the "bad" things. Harder to find an appreciation for the lessons they teach.

Yesterday morning, over coffee my husband told me that he would be happy when Christmas was over. He went on to say that because we could not afford to do the things we would like to this year, he would be relieved when he didn't have to think about it. As much as it might sound like a Christmas special on the family channel, it got me thinking about the Comfort and Joy in our lives.

We will still spend the holidays with the family and friends, and while the gifts we share this year will not be wrapped in fancy paper and bows, we will give them gifts that will still go away with them. And hopefully last longer.

So our tree started to "stare" at me. The fact that we are waaaaaaaaaaay past the age when presents under a tree should matter, it looked so pitiful and bare with nothing under it's twinkling star covered branches. So, this morning I decided to wrap some empty boxes, not with store bought paper , but with whatever I have. And label each with the GIFTS we really share.

FAMILY, FRIENDS, FAITH, HOPE ,LOVE, RESPECT,COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS, HEALTH, AND YES!!! COMFORT AND JOY.

SO DEAR FRIENDS, I WANTED TO PASS ON MY TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY TO EACH OF YOU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. MAY YOU SAVOR THOSE YOU HOLD MOST DEAR AND RELISH THE COMFORT AND JOY!

(off to wrap my gifts, there will be more boxes under my tree than ever before!)