Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Not that many years ago, I believed in a perfect Christmas - not that I had had one, just that it was possible. Now I'm coming around to the notion that the perfect Christmas is the myth thrown at us by commercials while a really great Christmas is obtained by stringing together beautiful moments...

... watching the children put together the manger scene at church
... crying to "Breath of Heaven" at church because a year ago I didn't know the kind of loss that I know now
... watching four little kids rip into gifts with reckless joy
... seeing my nephew charge around in his new spidey suit, complete with foam, defined pectoral muscles and biceps (I suppose this borders on disturbing as well)
... having that same precious boy give me a kiss goodbye because he's finally old enough to really know me
... seeing a friend get excited over a gift my mom and I had spent a lot of time putting together
... driving home from the rowdy activities, talking and laughing with Punky while a very tired puppy groans from the back seat for us to keep quiet

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!