Happy Christmas

I follow a wonderful blog called "The Way I See It".  I love Mariot's photography -- especially of the children.  Today she posted such a unique Christmas wish that I have to show it to you:

This
Xmas,
I would
like to put
up a tree in my
heart, and instead
of hanging presents,
I would like to put the
names of all my friends.
Close friends and not so close
friends. The old friends, the new
friends. Those that I see every day
and the ones that I rarely see. The ones
that I always remember and the ones that
I sometimes forget. The ones that are always
there and the ones that seldom are. The friends of
difficult times and the ones of happy times. Friends
who, without meaning to, I have hurt, or without meaning
to have hurt me. Those that I know well and those I only know
by name. Those that owe me little and those that I owe so much.
My humble friends and my important friends. The names of all those
that have passed through my life no matter how fleetingly. A tree with
very deep roots and very long
and strong branches so that
their names may never be
plucked from my heart. So
that new names from all
over may join the existing ones. A tree with a very
pleasant shade so that our friendship may take a
moment of rest from the battles of life. "May the
happy moments of Xmas brighten every day of
the new year". These are my sincere wishes.

I have the same wishes!

However, I did put up our tree today.  We started using our tiny, year-round topiary several years ago when we moved into a place with no room for a Christmas tree.  The children and I have had so much fun collecting tiny ornaments for it each year -- it's getting so full, I don't know if there's a single lone branch at this point.


Hope you all are enjoying the season.  Our Tate's in the school play Scrooge.  She's been setting the mood here today with all her Christmas Carols.  She has such a lovely voice. 

It's late, but I will put up my favorite Christmas decoration tomorrow - our Nativity.  Happy Christmas!