Final thoughts on 2024

I love finding these hanging on the doors of the "Game Closet" at Gwen and Tim's house.  The tree on the left is a long ago memory of mine.  Ken and I bought these matching Christmas Tree gift bags at Crackle Barrel restaurant to take into our offices.  I had mine hanging on my office door for many, many years.  The Santa Claus was Ken's growing up.  His mom made it for him as a "Pajama bag" that was on his bed every Christmas season until he got too cool for this.  His mom added the door hanger and we received this from his mom on our first Christmas together in 1973.  It's a little worn, as you could imagine since it was made in 1952!  So I love to see this still around in 2024.  My kids remember this as a piece of their Christmas celebrations.

One of the highlights for me this year was Jimmy's three year old preschool Christmas program.

It has been so fun watching him adjust to being in a school setting.  I get to drop off and pick up on the day that I watch Grace and Jimmy.   The week before the program I asked Jimmy what songs they were going to sing and he told me that it was a "reindeer song".  He couldn't sing it for me, but he insisted that it wasn't any of the ones I suggested.  He couldn't remember any of the other songs, so I kind of figured it would be a typical 3 year old performance with not much singing happening.  Boy was I wrong.  That kid knew every song and every motion and performed them all perfectly!  The reindeer song turned out to be "Reindeer Hokey Pokey".  Watching that class of 18 three year olds gave me a great appreciation for their teachers!  There were a couple of girls that twirled the entire program. More than one child stood stone faced and didn't sing or do any hand motions.  There was one little one that sniffled and cried, clearly scared to death!  But Jimmy performed the entire show!  The boy next to him tried several times to distract him, but he was on a mission!  This is one proud Grandma for sure.  An added bonus for Jimmy was that Yia-Yia (his other grandma) also came for this performance!  There is just nothing cuter than three year olds at Christmas.

I went to Christmas Eve church at 10am.  It felt kind of strange to not go at night, but this made the most sense for me.  It was a lovely service and after pictures, I went to Gwen and Tim's for Lasagna for lunch.  This is my families kind of traditional Christmas Eve dinner.  

I also got to be a part of Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna receiving their yearly Christmas Ornament from Gwen and Tim.  Their (very small) tree is crammed with all of these ornaments but the kids have insisted that this tree must remain.  No new tree is allowed! 

Of course Lia received a Lindenwood ornament.  Ellie got a yarn ornament and Anna got Stitch. It's really been a Stitch year for her.  Zeke got a Lorax ornament - its what he wanted!  

I spent a quiet Christmas Day at home and never got out of my pajamas.   I watched some Christmas movies and just relaxed.  It was good to just rest and reflect.  I knew that the following weekend, I would be back at Gwen and Tim's to watch Chandler and Sunny.   

Their entire family went to a wedding in St. Louis of a former youth from their church.  Lia was actually a bridesmaid and Tim walked the Bride down the aisle!  So a a very big deal for sure.  This was the first time I have been at their house with no kids!  Just the dogs!  Needless to say, these dogs missed the rest of their "pack".  We had a very quiet three days.  By the end of the time they were both running the front door if there was any sound of a car that might be coming close to their house.   It was a good way to end the year for sure.  

This morning I took down Christmas.  It was a bit early for me, but I just woke up motivated to clear up my space.  As usual, it looks very empty with everything put away.  As I was tucking the  boxes back in the closet, I saw my Christmas wreath on the door - wreath hanger - still in the closet.  I simply forgot that I even had that!  I guess that is the mark of being 70 years old!  Hopefully next year I will remember to put it up!

And here we are.  The New Year begins tomorrow.  I have been studying the Bible book of Acts this fall.  The primary thing about this book is action.  It is the story of the start and spread of the Christian church.  Looking at the Bible account, it is hard to miss the fact that this actually happened over a long period of time.  Recently it was point out to me that Paul spent years in each of the places he visited.  Somehow, in my mind, these were like short term mission trips.  But in reality it was very long term.  So I will be reminding myself that while Jesus calls us to action, there is also not a "short term" period put on that assignment.  A recent sermon reminded me that our culture of hurry needs to stop and take a pause.  Given these two reminders, I will be taking more "pauses" during the New Year.  If I have one thing added to my "To Do" list in 2025, it will be to slow down.  And this is good.  This past year has seemed to be rushed and busy for everyone.  There has been much anxiety and stress for so many.  So lets make 2025 a year of stopping and taking a deep breath.  Then we will be able to turn our focus to Jesus and really enter into His plans and purposes for us.  Praying you all have a slower, calmer year ahead.  

Jesus, Thank you for reminders and words that turn our thoughts towards you.  Holy Spirit, give us courage to say no to things that bring stress and anxiety to our life.  Help us remember to stop and breath deeply so that we can focus on your plans for us.  Give us boldness to do those things that you place before us.  Thank you for becoming one of us, to bring us back to you.  Amen