The Joy and the Peace

I finished reading Tolkien's The Silmarillion on Christmas night. I've taken up Touring Through France by Elizabeth Shackleton again, and am on page 190. I've also begun Elizabeth Von Arnim's The Solitary Summer.

There's a peace in living quietly, alone (we two) in our small house with our humble routine. We rise early, tend to animals, read, work outside, paint, drink tea, take naps, converse, learn, eat, relax, and sleep again. We love our quiet life.

But there's a yearning too, for our children, always in my heart -- it's love. We look forward to their coming, and we wonder at having them with us again, and as soon as they're five minutes in the door I begin to think about how they will soon be gone, and I'll be missing them again. Such joy to have them in the house! To hear their voices and hold them and discuss things and remember our family's private jokes and memories. To wrap our family identity around ourselves again like a warm, familiar cloak.

So there's such joy when they are here, and such peace when they are gone, and both are good. Both girls are gone now. My hairbrush is missing too, haha.
Anna and her boyfriend Gramm are now at my parents' house in West Virginia, and I know my mother must be over-the-moon happy to have them there. We loved getting to know Gramm. He is a neat young man, and they obviously care deeply for each other.

Here they are on Christmas morning:

 They've had a very long-distance relationship, but both have been diligent to have weekly online dates. Gramm often goes to a coffee shop near his home, and they date-chat there. For Christmas, he got Anna a mug from that shop ... and his mom got him a matching mug from there! Isn't that sweet?

Speaking of sweet gifts, Adam got us two passes to Colonial Williamsburg for 2018!!!!

 We both grew up quite near Williamsburg, and we've longed to go back there. Now we will!
It was a lovely Christmas.

 Rather nippy weather, but our 4 space heaters seemed up to the task. Julia slept on the couch to be warmer than in the little building she usually sleeps in.
Here's how the living room looked after gift-opening:

 I set the table for Christmas dinner. 
Adam cooked up a storm.

 

 My wedding crystal and china. My mother's silver.

 Lots of beautiful Christmas cards atop the piano!

 Linda and Jordane came for dinner too. Dave felt unwell and couldn't come, which was sad. He lives alone and is just a little older than my dad.

I think this year my overwhelming feeling at Christmas is thankfulness. Thankful to have my girls home. Thankful Julia has had a good semester. So thankful for Anna and Gramm. Thankful that Peter and Shani and Philip and Kara are doing well. God has been gracious to us all. 

Peter and Shani in London for their honeymoon!

Philip and Kara in Peoria for Christmas.

Today we put away all the Christmas decorations - tree, ornaments, stockings. The quiet house is back to normal. I picked up my Punkin book at the printer's, and this creative life will stroll along again. May God keep us all in His care. I hope Christmas was merry for all of you, and may the new year bring blessings and peace.