Christmas is all around us, and so the feeling grows

Our very first Christmas tree is up and decorated and looking gorgeous. I can’t stop looking at it. I don’t know why this feeling lasts from year to year, in a struggling world, with seemingly worsening situations for so many people, but I really really love Christmas. Maybe it is because of all these things that my anticipation for these weeks seems to grow each season. Lights in sparkling colors make even ugly things bright and festive; making lists of presents to buy for people you love and imagining their faces as they open them has to make you all fuzzy inside; and there is something so beautifully innocent about the idea of being rewarded with gifts for simply being nice instead of naughty. Maybe it’s the youthful part of me hanging on that just doesn’t understand people who dread this time of year. But I’m ok with that. I hope I never understand it, and I hope it’s never me who’s complaining about having to buy so many gifts or go to too many parties or drink too much hot chocolate. This year is no different — I am completely enamored with everything having to do with Christmas, even in hot, muggy Florida. So if you don’t want your cup of hot chocolate, please pass it on to me because I just can’t get enough mini marshmallows right now!