Christmas with Sunshine and Palm Trees

Christmas 2017 found us in Arizona with sunshine and palm trees. No snow to be found but instead the twinkle of Christmas lights on palm trees filled the air! New friends, new experiences and new traditions, mixed with the old became my reality.

The holiday away from all that is familiar and traditional brought with it the opportunity to "do it differently." If there is one thing I have learned in my nearly 70 years, it is that Flexibility is the key to happiness on many occasions. So this year our tree was small (to match our home) and the gifts under it had come in boxes of love sent from the kids far away. Instead of 'hugs at the door" we did love through phone calls and Face Time and kisses thrown through the air.

Christmas dinner was spent at the Community Center with a crowd of other retirees in place of family. There was no turkey nor pumpkin pie. In its' place was ham  and chocolate cake.  Even with those traditions missing  I found that the 'SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS' was in the air.

Through the week different ones had shared their 'memories past' creating opportunity for us to be  reminded how blessed we have been throughout the years.  A story of tremendous sacrifice by parents so one little girl could have a doll to cherish.  A Dad who made Santa come to life, while another read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" story and shared the precious  memories it carries with it only to be revisited every Christmas season. The beauty of  these stories shared is that they come from souls who have lived through some of the most difficult times of this country. The incredible truth is that the love of families and friends, and for many, little miracles along the way, carried them through those times with memories wrapped as gifts, in thankfulness and awe.

As our Christmas cards have arrived this year the recurring message for the season has been "JOY."
I am reminded that  HAPPINESS is something I choose; but JOY comes through knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So this year I have CHOSEN  happiness in this our new setting: but my JOY has come from deep within, as I spend time in the PRESENCE of Jesus!!

I hope your Christmas was filled with happy times and that you found your JOY wrapped in the PRESENCE of Jesus!