Moving Forward

I took this photo yesterday after I  packed it all up. I really do cherish Christmas. I know that, with young children, right now the season is as magical, and full, as it gets! As soon as I get the Thanksgiving dishes put away, I have always been eager to decorate and celebrate the Christmas season. Parodoxically, as soon as Christmas is over, I am just as eager to clean up and move forward! No, I don't pack it up with the same glee that accompanies decorating; but the anticipation of a minimalist, clean space motivates me to attack the job quickly! It's been since my kids were babies that I have left the tree and decor up until New Year's Day; and then I was enjoying mothering little ones to much to be too concerned (or maybe all the clutter that came with little ones made it difficult to see, or care about, the Christmas clutter!)

Regardless, I think the more I enjoy the season, the sooner I am ready to say goodbye to another Christmas. Was I busy? YES. Did I do everything I had planned? Absolutely NOT. Does it mattter? Not at all. I shopped, cooked, wrapped, cleaned and worked. I also reminisced, socialized, played (this year we even got to play in real snow!), reflected, prayed, created, and rested. It's ALL good.  This contemplation of celebrating, and living, to the fullest put me in mind of the following quote:

"We only live once, but once is enough if we do it right. Live your life with class, dignity, and style so that an exclamation, rather than a question mark signifies it!”  ~Gary Ryan Blair