The day after Thanksgiving. Not a shopping day for me, can't stand the thought of fighting the crowds and spending on price-jacked items. Besides my spending ban during December, all is bought and wrapped and (thank you God) paid for.
Today I chose to decorate our home for Christmas.
And so the big white turkey platter sits shiny clean again on the breakfront shelf, the orange candles are relegated back into the decorator closet, and the bedroom decor has changed from cheery cranberry and faux fall floral to mad-about-plaid and Rudolph nose red. The ubiquitous garland drapes the stairs, there are wreaths on all the doors, bells hang from knobs, a snowman skates on the chair by the desk, there's a Christmas bear in the rocking chair, brass horns and stockings adorn the mantle, and angels deck the walls.
But there is no tinseled tree in the living room, nor one in the upstairs office. Somehow, this year, it seems more fitting to put the little soldier tree on the library table, and Mom's ceramic green one on the window sill.
This year I remember those who are not here to see. Those who will spend the Season in cold sand and blowing gritty snow, driving on, hugging love letters from home instead of loved ones who wait there. Those who look not to ghosts of Christmas past, but to a present with no IEDs, and forward, to happier times, and a Christmas yet to be.
God bless our Troops
Hold them gently In Your Hands
Give them Rest when They can find it
And Peace throughout the Land.
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