In the Moment

[queelez]

The Christmas Eve service at my church always ends with the congregation singing "Silent Night" while lightning candles, and walking out of the sanctuary.  It's always incredibly beautiful--not quiet, per se, but just...still, I suppose.  This was my first Christmas coming home from college, so after the song there were many hugs to be given, many quick summaries of my first semester.  I saw a lot of people who I hadn't seen since Thanksgiving, and even more that I hadn't seen since I left in Mid-August.

We exchanged Secret Santas tonight, as we always do--our family rule is that you can't spend any money on them.  In other words, they're handmade--poems, collages, gift certificates for specific meals and services, and whatnot.  All of them had things to do with growing up, this year--I wrote a poem about change for my Dad.  My dad gave me some humorous (and useful) college lists--why I'm doing well, rules for my dorm, etc.  Mom made my sister, Ellen, a small cookbook of her favorite recipes, and Ellen gave Mom a really awesome collage detailing some highlights of the Campain and Election.

In this time of change and confusion about life, direction, and the state of the world, it's nice to just have quiet little moments.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Rest in Peace, Gordon.