We have only been in our “loaner” home for a few months and with Christmas looming I am starting to have that underlying fear of all the stuff that comes with it.
Where to put the tree, how to adjust to a limited income (and limited present budget) and how to not-miss all the traditions we used to participate in when we lived in Vancouver (can you say Christmas train and Canyon Lights at Cap Bridge?)

We leapt into this move, literally leapt, and now, with birthday’s coming up (Nov 26 –eek, today! & Dec 29), Christmas approaching and New Year’s festivities left open, we are concerned we won’t have the community we had in our old neighborhood.

But then I take a big, deep breath.

What is really important to me, and the reason we made this move in the first place, is not the things we can go to, or the people we can see (aka enjoy hot rum with).  It isn’t the stuff . . . it is my people, my favorite people.
It is about having the time to focus on the traditions we have always been meaning to create. It is about slowing down and enjoying the moments . . . the small, special moments, and not rushing off to the next event.

Our new home is here for us, it has a place for our tree, and we will find a spot to hang the stockings (preferably where the dogs can’t get them) we can’t seat everyone around the table like we used to, but we will adapt and find our way here.  We will do something different this Christmas compared to all the rest, but it will be ours.

And that is really what I want our Christmas tradition to be about . . . family. Not stuff, or things, or activities or expectations.  I want it to be thoughtful, and peaceful and full of my family.  That’s all . . . but I think that is enough.