Finding the SilveryShiningWisp of Joy

Sometimes, things just don’t work out the way you think they’re going to, (like trying to add pictures to this post.!!!!!!! Frustration!!!!)and I have to say this holiday season was one of those times. No one is to blame, except for whomever it was that passed the stomach virus on to me,( although even that person was most likely innocent of their cruelty.) My head just spins with how far out of the path of normal holidays our holidays spun! In the midst of the maelstrom there were shining happy moments and it’s those that we need to remember.

Let’s see – when the girls and Spencer arrived, they knocked on the front door and then sang Jingle Bells to us. It was so wonderful to see them all and to get big hugs all around. What a great way to kick off our Polar Express party! Ephraim had come over one day to help me paint the train, and then Gideon helped another day. They had one little spat that blew over quickly, and then we had a fine time working to create our fun train. Simeon helped Grammy decorate train shaped cookies, and then snuggled with Poppy Mark to watch Prep and Landing.

The party was fun and very very busy – everyone came so the house was full, the table full of good food and good snacks. We learned that Simeon should not have large amounts of chocolate ‘pennies’; none of us had ever seen him quite so hyped. He was still cute as could be – just in high gear. PrairieDawn gave us the most laughs; she played with a little rocket and when it ‘shot’ Grammy, who of course reacted dramatically, Prairie belly laughed with glee. She eventually ‘shot’ it at everyone in the room and we laughed at her till we cried. Aunt Corie sent gifts for all the kiddos and they opened them at the party – Ephraim and Gideon were thrilled with their books, and they were tucked into couch corners for the rest of the evening, contentedly reading. Levi, Anna and Kash took the Polar Express movie pretty seriously, and Anna sat on Grammy’s lap for a good deal of the movie. Nice to snuggle up with a beautiful granddaughter in her lovely black velvet and plaid taffeta Christmas dress. Lucy attended in her party dress too, adorable girl she is.

Keeping the focus on the shiny spots: Christmas day while I was still upstairs, Mark had Christmas with his boys. It was nice for him to have some uninterrupted one on one time with them, and I was happy for them. The boys had a nice breakfast, opened presents, and then decided to get into the hot tub before taking off. For just a few minutes, they sang together and their voices drifted up my way, bringing some cheer which was gratefully appreciated.

Spencer and Michelle came back over to just hang out with us on the 26^th for a while. It was so nice to get a little bit of time to visit just with them. We had a really good visit.

Finally we got to have Christmas! Dinner was warm, house still sparkly and magical, presents waiting…so we began tearing in! Rescue Heroes! Pink cape! Gift certificates! Books! Beautiful window prisms! Plants in personalized pots! Window chalk! Bows and arrows! Movie tickets! Charming handmade sign! Tiny log house of balsam fir with incense smoke! Driftwood heart! We are a blessed and generous family. On to dinner, and then to movies for the littles, rocking baby to sleep; and visiting and laughter.

Amongst the shadows of illness and frustration, the shimmeringsilveryshiningstarseconds glowed and flowed through us and by us and around us. The dull gray walls of expectation gave way to lighteningbugflashes of joy.

It is not about the plans or the expectations; it’s all about the results, and if in the giving, we forget to look for the right result, then we need to reconsider the why. We just needed to open our eyes and see them, the will o’ the wisps of wonder.

Merry Christmas, whenever it is for you.