Jaci Dawn

Happy Holidays! God Jul!

I have been so blessed this Christmas between little gifts and cards at work, and Christmas cards in the mail, that it makes me feel almost ashamed to admit that I was pretty darn lame this year. I didn’t put as much thought into the gifts I gave at work and I sent fewer cards than usual (and those all went out on the 23rd, so will not arrive at their destinations until after Christmas). We didn’t buy any gifts for nieces or nephews, sisters or brothers, or parents. Of course, there’s a reason for this thrift: the last quarter of 2013 was rather expensive and we had to tap into our precious savings to cover those unexpected bills. We’re learning how to live in our new reality of one less paycheck per month now that Don is retired. We don’t use credit cards, so everything is cash.

No, I don’t really feel that guilty: what I really feel is BLESSED.

We’re so grateful for family that is still living, for family that has passed on, for “real life” friends, cyber friends, and co-workers! We feel incredibly blessed and touched by all those lives around us! Don’s family, my family, our family: we love all of you so very much!

If you know us personally and you didn’t get a card from us, we didn’t forget you. Life just got in the way.

Every time I turn around, I am reminded of someone. Tonight, I sat on the floor with Harvey and watched the lights on the tree. It reminded me of – no, it took me back to – a time when my mom and dad were still living and my little sister was my buddy. My grandparents came to life. A memory floated before me for that moment in the lights and I realized just how precious all those memories are.

Memories are our gift to you this year: all the times we’ve laughed together, cried together, prayed together (or prayed for each other), shared something on Facebook or in a letter or in a blog post – all those brief moments of connection, that’s our gift to each other.

Thank you for your gifts to us. Please accept our gift to you. It really isn’t as lame as I made it out to be, because it’s really about friendship and love, not the getting of presents or cards.

Merry Christmas and thank you for every moment!