Mr. Virgo loved Christmas. He listened all year and actually made notes about things he saw that I liked or was interested in. He bought and carefully hid gifts for weeks before Christmas. He wanted every Christmas to be special.

As you know, I’ve downsized tremendously and I don’t need anything, really. I’d rather have experiences than things at this point. But still, wandering around the mall yesterday, listening to the carols, watching the hustle and bustle of the shoppers…made me nostalgic for my man. I wandered around for a couple of hours feeling material, smelling perfumes, looking at sparkly things. As I turned to make my way back through the mall to head home, I passed Chico’s. I love that store.

There’s only one thing I would love to have if I found it. And that is a beautiful robin’s egg blue coat I saw on Pinterest a few weeks ago. I had one similar 40 years ago and loved it. I Googled the brand and they don’t make that coat anymore. I checked e-bay. Nothing. As I wandered through Chico’s, I went to the sale rack and there was a coat-like sweater with a matching mock turtleneck shell. The same color and the same cut as the coat I was looking for. And…it was 50% off the lowest markdown price. I love a deal!

Every year, I buy myself a Christmas present from Mr. Virgo. This year he’s giving me a beautiful blue sweater set. As soon as I walked out of the store with my gold and white bag with the tissue-wrapped prize inside, I felt like it was really the holidays. Our beauty does not come from outward accoutrements….it comes from within. But it’s ok to appreciate a beautiful gift. It’s ok to adapt your traditions to fit your new circumstances.

❤️

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV