Not All Who Wander Are Lost

It's that time of year again. We all look over the past year and make a list of things we're going to change about ourselves or our habits. I've done it. We've all done it, I think. This year, I'm not making any resolutions other than to just try and be grateful for everything I've already got. I may not be the healthiest or the skinniest person out there. I'm pretty certain that lose 20 pounds is on my doctor's wishlist for me, but in all honesty, while I'll try and be healthier I'm just not going to put that pressure on myself at the start of the year. I need to find more time to write, to clean, to whatever  . . . we all have that list. However, I'm more interested in putting the computer away a little more often to chase my daughter in the backyard, teach her how to hula hoop or bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies with her this year. I swear every time I look at her lately she's another half inch taller. Before I know it she'...

I was actually planning to write this entry a week ago, but life intruded and then the events in Newtown and, honestly as both a mom of a five year old and a teacher, I was more than a little shell shocked. The funny thing about that was that I felt no strangeness when I got ready to go to work on Monday, but I lingered a little over my daughter's bed that morning. Felt a little odd sending her off even as I got ready to walk back into a classroom . . . It's Christmas time. Christmas always reminds me of my grandparents. My one grandmother loved Christmas and my grandfather indulged her every whim with this holiday. He also loved miniature trains and would have an elaborate set-up in the corner of his living room--a tiny train, a lovely little village and a Victorian Santa Claus with his unraveling list looking over all the little town. Gram would fill the little front bedroom with gifts and my brother, my three cousins and I all had our "spots" for years. After Gra...