I’m looking forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus—Happy Birthday, Jesus. 

For anyone who is taking the time to read this on Christmas Eve, thank you. I’m humbled. I am feeling inadequate to find an exciting, informative, or inspirational topic, so I’ll chat as if I’m at your kitchen table.

What do I do for Christmas?

I will go to church tonight, as it is early and gives me time to fully enjoy Cincinnati Chili on Christmas Eve with family at Trina and Travis’. Always so much fun. It’s one of our family traditions that I’m thankful still exists.

What have I been doing?

Oh, goodness, the days go slow, for some reason, and my weeks and months scurry by faster than I can comprehend. It seems Lucy needs to go to the groomer every week—in reality, it’s once a month. I always have an article to write, and other than that, life is pretty quiet and peaceful. It is fun and surreal to get to do exactly what I want most of the time. Retirement isn’t what it’s cut out to be, because I love to work, but I would be hard-pressed today to set an alarm for 5:30 or 6:00 and be at my desk across the city at 8:00.

Like many days past, I think of the lyrics: “Those were the days, my friend. I thought they’d never end.” Maybe they just changed.

How about the holidays?

I’ve been doing what I usually do for Christmas, and that includes drawing or painting my Christmas card and making peanut brittle. I miss the days when I used to tape 80 blank cards to my kitchen counters and paint each one separately—always while watching Hallmark Christmas movies—those that always end with a kiss. Now I make one card and send it off to Shutterfly. It’s easier but not as satisfying or personal.

I’ve also traveled a bit this year, and those memories are sweet and make me smile. I think Saint Augustine had it right when he said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Travel does heighten possibilities and strengthens my appreciation of differences. It’s also a thrill to actually see something from a book or movie. Seeing it, touching it, and walking amongst it make it more real somehow. I laugh more deeply and more often, too, when someone else prepares my meals, and the staff handles housekeeping. Good travel partners are the best. It’s more meaningful when I share experiences with people I care about.

So that’s about it. Thanks for the coffee and sweet treats. I hope we get together again soon. In the meantime. Merry, Merry, with a hug.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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