Mr. FixIt and I went shopping yesterday. We are at that age and stage in life when we don’t need to have a big hoopla surrounding Christmas. I needed a new winter coat. He needs a radiator on his truck. It’s kind of a wash. Since I’m not about to get a radiator and wrap it up for Christmas, I told him it was perfectly fine to go shopping together so I can try on coats and choose what I want.

My sense of fashion has definitely changed over the years. Where I used to traipse around Aspen in a full length blue fox coat, I now am the proud owner of a perfectly functional, super warm parka with lots of strategically placed pockets. It came in red, but my practical side opted for black so it wouldn’t show dirt. Besides…black is slimming, right? And…it was on sale!

We got each other one surprise. The rest is welcome, but not extravagant. I remember years when the gifts were just over the top. I don’t know if it’s my age or the fact that I’ve gone through that massive purge of personal belongings, but I just don’t need stuff. It’s not a “Bah, humbug!” thing either. It’s personal contentment.

The mall was packed. People rushing to and fro, bags and boxes piled high. There were lots of smiles and giggling children. The line for Santa was long, the children were precious. I would love to bottle up all the warm, fuzzy feelings of this time of year and keep them for the days when things may not be so warm and fuzzy in the New Year.

Our family gathering doesn’t happen till Friday so that gives us two extra days to prepare. The cards are sent. There’s things to do…baking and wrapping…knitting and writing. That’s my holiday week. And that suits me just fine. 

❤️

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV