Winter Sunshine

Every year the holiday season hurtles towards us and then leaves in a gale force of crushed wrapping paper and chocolate headaches. And every year, in the week between Christmas and New Years, I get into a funk because after the mania of the preceeding weeks, I'm just let down by how it's all over. Nothing to show for it but empty boxes and drooping Christmas trees. Adding to my misery, I don't really enjoy New Year's Eve - I've always subscribed to the philosophy that each day is new, why wait for one night to make changes?

So, I never make a resolution. But today, sitting in my office looking out the window, I resolve to really, really try to enjoy life more fully.

Having young children forces you look at life moment by moment (sometimes, to maintain your sanity, that's all you can do!) They certainly live in the moment - they acquire knowledge and become changed in an instant; if you're not looking you miss it.

The sun is glorious right now. The sky is blue and if I stop typing, I can hear birds chirping at the feeder. The shadows on the grand old split maples that surround my house are rippling in an occasional breeze. My son is downstairs babbling to his two year old sister and all is right with the world. We're healthy, happy and together enjoying the winter sunshine. It doesn't get much better than that.