Season of Peace

Tonight I had too much on my plate. So I decided to forget it all completely. This is the season of peace. Sometimes in between the deadlines, the applications, the voicemails, the emails, the contracts, the diaper changes, and the ho ho ho – peace can become hidden. So tonight after my sweet little ones were bathed and to bed, I uncharacteristically made myself a plate of too many sugar cookies. I poured myself a glass of milk, put on repeat Judy Garland’s version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and sat down by the Christmas tree to read my favorite book.

I didn’t worry about the calories, the looming deadlines, or the parenting skills I have yet to implement. I enjoyed the peace. I decided I wouldn’t feel guilty for the charmed life I have been given, I would appreciate it. I wouldn’t think of all the things that must be done, instead I would be happy that I had the ability to do them when the time is at hand. And above all, I would bring Peace, a fruit of Christmas, into my home this season.

I am a motivated creature. Doing is something I thrive on. But those little moments of complete calm and peace, like the ones I had tonight, are really what life is about… When you stop the world for a few minutes, creep into your babies nurseries and watch them sleep for just a little longer than normal, hold your sweetheart and tell them I love you with more meaning than just the daily, and then sit down to a good book – realizing no matter what has been going terribly right or wrong – life is a gift. A gift that should be enjoyed in peace and with as much happiness as possible.