Christmas Eve Morning 2016

It's early on Christmas Eve Morning.  I've returned from my run to a quiet house.  Barb and the girls were up late last night.  There has been a flurry of activity getting the house ready for company; cleaning and decorating, wrapping and planning.

This is the calm before the storm.  The morning light is just starting to brighten the room and I'm sitting with a cup of coffee and my tablet.  We will head to church around 2pm and get home around 5:30.  If tradition holds, Santa will visited our house while we were gone.  We'll have a wonderful dinner followed by the opening of presents.  I will sit and wonder at how much my children have grown as they revel in their gifts and the festive evening.

For now, I'll sit and enjoy the quiet rest time.  I'll sip my coffee and count my blessings.

Noisy House

Yes, I'm hiding in my home office.  It is a simple survival technique.  On this cold blustery evening in mid November and my 13 year old daughter has invited a half dozen girls over to celebrate her birthday.  It is a noisy affair.  Six teenage girls, all talking at the same time like a child sized version of a presidential debate.  There is loud laughter and banter, punctuated randomly by piercing squeals.  The noise is at once annoying and delightful.

My wife walks into my office and I mention how hard it is to concentrate with all the noise.  Someday, she reminds me, there will be quiet in the house and we will miss the energy and liveliness that is so much a part of our lives at the present time.  I know she's right and I try to appreciate the wonder of the activity, laughter and play ...while dutifully ignoring the regularly recurring topic of boys and dating.