Holiday hiatus

We have left off school for the time being, finishing the last worksheet, the last math problem, the last journal entry before engaging in final card writing and gift making. We have baking coming up, and presents to finish buying and wrapping.

This time of year we immerse ourselves in friends and family. This is what we observe in December: those bonds of love, both by blood and by choice. We have loved ones near and far, and some in between. We will take turns at the grandparents' houses. My brother and his girlfriend will be here from Chicago. We will spend the new year with our closest family friend up north. We will eat, drink, and be merry, and hope for snow. We will give and receive with humility and kindness.

We will bask in and celebrate the love that surrounds us, and I will take a break from writing here to do so. But I will be back some time in the new year before the coming January thaw. There will be pictures to share, and we have new things on the horizon for school. It is never a dull moment, and I don't plan to stay away long.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all.