Restoration

Dear Friends, I decided last night to give myself permission to restore myself. Suddenly taking a job two months ago and working 20 hours a week has taken a pretty big toll on my life. It has been hard to notice the magic of the ordinary in my own life when I've been constantly on the run.

I received an unexpected email yesterday from a blogger I admire wishing me a happy holiday and 2011. I cannot tell you the impact that made on my day and perspective. I have barely kept up with reading my emails, much less replying, much less being thoughtful and expressing how I feel in my heart! I am doing my best, but I am spread far too wide and far too thin.

I was driving around last night after work doing those last-minute Christmas shopping trips (two to go!) and I was struck by how profound it is for a child to believe in Santa Claus and the idea that some magical figure comes into everyone's home and leaves presents and eats cookies all over the world all in one night! I do not remember my own belief or how I found out otherwise or how I felt at that moment. I can only view all of this through Jaden's eyes and experience. He has had some questions this year but his belief is still strong and solid. I apologized to him the other day when he wanted to add something to his list and I said it was too late and it could stress Santa out! Oh my goodness, silly adult alert! Luckily my husband was right there to remind us that Santa wouldn't be phased by it. No wonder Jaden has questions!

Anyway this is a bit of rambling for the supposed happy time of year. It is a time of happiness and charm and beauty and anticipation and fun and excitement. But it is also a time of reflection for me, a year coming to an end, expectations for a new year, trying to balance all the competing parts of my life. So, I need to enter a time of restoration. To that end, I am going to take a computer break for the rest of the year.

I wish you all peace and health as we end this year and head into the next.