"Home for Christmas" found me smack dab in the middle of an abundance of blessings.  Charming moments, silly moments, red-neck moments, hilarity and calm all rolled up into one big 3 day bash, surrounded by the people I love most in this world.  Upon crossing the Missouri River border, the first blessing was being able to attend my 8 year old grandson's Christmas program.....the first time this has coincided with our "Home for Christmas" holiday, so I was thrilled to attend.

 

There we were, amongst caroling, complete with hand-gestures, cut out paper snowmen, glitter, the off-key orchestra rendition of  "Jingle Bells" , the partridge in a pear tree and all that makes things merry in a grade school program.  I admired the teachers' time, the care, the planning of the program so that we could witness the talents and playfulness on stage.  The smiles, the occasional apparent stage fright, the nodding teachers, the brave soloists, the proud "ta-da" faces,  provided us with 90 minutes of pure joy.  

 

I wondered what the play would be like, had it been all adults on stage.  How many would say "I can sing that solo", "I can play that trumpet", "I can draw the snowmen", "I can be that partridge in the pear tree"?  How many would let in their inner child?

 

The rest of the "Home for Christmas" holiday found us carving pumpkins, spider-shaped paper snowflakes (it was Friday the 13th, after all), playing silly gift-giving games, surrounding ourselves with small children to allow us adults to play as well.  

 

On the topic of playing,  I've recently taken to doodling in the early morning hours.  Doodling frees me - there are no mistakes in doodling.  There are no rules.  It takes paper and a pen - it's that simple.  I've doodled as long as I remember - imagine my surprise  when I found that someone put a name to it and turned it into a money-making business!  Now you don't even have to do your own doodles - you can buy doodle books to color in, "zentangle" instructions, etc.  I prefer to do my own, but the instructions are available to help you get started.   I suggest starting with a curly Q and see where it takes you.   I recently spent an afternoon with a dear friend and we doodled, drank coffee and shared stories.  Doodling frees you into some good meditation and prayer time, starts your day off on a right foot.  Try it and  you may find your inner child comes knocking!  Try it with a friend and you'll be surprised at the stories that spring forth in that idle time.  

 

My prayer for you during these busy days,  is that you look for your lost inner child during this holiday season - the child that says "I can do that!"  - and that you find celebration in the smallest of blessings as you enter into the new year.