10 Little Gifts

I still remember the year I got Malibu Barbie for Christmas. My own Barbie! She was gorgeous in that seventies way, with long streaked blonde hair and a smooth sun-kissed tan. After all those years of playing with Sis's old Barbies--the 1950s-style ones with bouffants--I finally had my own. I played with her a lot, inside, outside and in my friends' backyards and garages.

Fifth grade to age 50.  It goes so fast. But the girl I was back then is still inside me. The children we were are still inside all of us. My Mom and Dad are not there to watch me unwrap my gifts but the goodness they gave me has so much to do with the person I am today.

And with age comes an appreciation of the everyday things, not just on Christmas but always. My Little Gifts list so far for Christmas Day, and it's only 12:15:

1. Historic, small-town storybook Maine church with old-fashioned pews.
2. Drive to look at the beautiful bay with H. and Sug on this White Christmas.
3. Both Santas in my family--the young auburn-haired one and the older elf, who held my hand at church--remembered to put chocolate in my stocking.
4. My engagement ring back, after over a year! This isn't a little gift, it's really quite big, because one of the emeralds had popped out and had to be replaced. But I am so happy to have it back. It is my everyday pretty accessory.
5. My swollen ankle feels a little bit better.
6. Leah's blueberry-oatmeal pancakes, and Figgy doing the dishes.
7. Fig saying she loves what we got her--the acrylic paints, the canvases, the Abercrombie sweater and PJ bottoms, the bottle of Pink Sugar spray from Sephora.
8. Talking to Sis on the phone. My good Sis.
9. Though I can't join the family on a walk now, and I really, really want to, I will rest and read a Christmas book that I brought from home.
10. Beautiful card from Figgy. Last night going to bed, I thought, She's 16 now. Will she be with us on Christmas Eve for many years to come? Or will she live far away, or be traveling, or be living her own life in her own home? I love that she is right here, so I can crack open the bedroom door to be sure she's breathing, just like I did when she was a little rumpled redhead in her crib.

I wish you a sugar-dusted, snow-topped, icicle-bejeweled, winter sun-dappled day. Merry Christmas and all good wishes.