In today’s Peanuts comic strip, Lucy tells about starting to count the weeks until Christmas three months before the day. Then she started counting the days and, finally, minutes. Then…..”It’s over!?” I feel a little like that today.
Silly face from kk
The world is quickly moving on as after Christmas sales are pushed from every media outlet. Year in review stories are already appearing and resolutions are being made.
But I’m not ready to let go of Christmas just yet. It helps to have a daughter and her family coming back through town today for one last meal and to get their Christmas stockings. My past few weeks have been filled with events, some planned and others not. All of which has made me feel as if I’ve not shared enough Christmas with you. So I have a bit more to share.
We glimpsed a Christmas wedding on the river's edge
Hard to get pics with the rough surf but got this wind surfer as we headed to calmer waters
A couple having some Christmas fun on a sandbar in the Intracoastal
Rooftop Santa and reindeer
Yesterday, after celebrating by singing carols and hearing the Christmas story (it never gets old) we celebrated the day South Florida style. We took our son and his girlfriend boating. The weather must have been our sons Christmas gift as it’s been a bit warmer than usual for this time of year. The ocean was rougher than I’d like and we “got air” as my son exclaimed. I wouldn’t have known as I was firmly holding on behind Henry (who was at the wheel) with my eyes clinched shut. Jonathan and girlfriend laughing and me screaming. Or squealing, it’s often hard to tell.
The only snow you'll see in Fort Lauderdale
Liked the Santa on this huge boat. Or yacht may be more appropriate 😉
We’ve never been out on the boat during the holidays and were treated to so many decorations along the way. These large homes (mansions to us) were decked out and must look even prettier at night. Fortunately, this part of the trip in the intracoastal is a No Wake area this time of year for the Manatee’s. No speeding through here allowed my camera to click away without bumps.
Glen brought the jet ski around
Afternoon sun on the Intracoastal waterway of Fort Lauderdale
As the sun began to drop and we were shaded by the condo’s, hotels and houses the air was cooler and Jonathan and Heather (yes, the same name as his sister) found the open air and gentle rolling of the boat just right for a nap. Good thing I was sitting next to Henry or he would have dropped off too!
We came home to open presents, which have become second place to our grown children as the real gift to each other is time. We’ll have our son another day and then……and then the world will begin to move again. Creeping back into our lives will be cleaning and storing away the signs of the season. As I pack away the ornaments and wrap the baby Jesus I will think again of why we do this. Why we change our lives with the outwards signs of a celebration that is meant to bring inward change. And I will pray his birth, God’s gift of his son, will be an outward sign seen in my life everyday.
Living In Graceland 
Thank you for sharing! What a fun-filled time you had. Awesome. Ft. Lauderdale is so much different than Mid-America. However, it’s 45 degrees today and we’re having a little service for Harper. We will bury his urn by St. Francis. The rest of the day has been and will be cleaning up Christmas wrapping and breaking down boxes: Moving on … too soon. We had a joyous time. We really did!
I am one to rush the packing away of things. I’d have probably started today if the family wasn’t here. I’ve decided it’s good for me this time to wait. But I have reorganized a couple of cabinets 😉 Glad you enjoyed the pictures. I love looking at the snowy ones though I’m glad not to live in it. I’m glad you’re having a service for Harper. It’s a very good thing for you. Oh, we were rooting for the Bears last night. It wasn’t a weekend for any of our teams 😦 Bowl week is ahead! xo
Sounds like a wonderful day Debby… what more can one ask for than a happy Christmas with family doing something fun like boating in the Florida sun? Keeping with wake down for the sake of the manatees is a small pirce to pay 🙂 I am sure. With a day like you descsribe… I am sure the gifts are all just a bonus.
We too were somewhat thematic to our climate this year. Our main get-together was at a family members Eco-Retreat in the woods. There is a beautiful white-water river bordering the property that provides an ever-present “white noise” in the air.
The evening was topped off with a bon fire on the river bank. No snow, but it had rained all week so safe to let the fire blaze away. Kids loved it…. never mind them…. I loved it!
I too feel the anti-climatic thing when Christmas is over. Yet remind myself that part of the wonder of the Christmas season is it temporary aspect. Its special because it ends. Yet it returns.
Ciao.
Chaz
Chaz, what a wonderful way to spend the holiday. I’m so glad you shared that. I love to hear and see pictures of how others celebrate, especially the snowy ones. I would think you’d have snow on the ground all winter there. Bon fires are for all ages, aren’t they?
You are so right in saying part of what makes Christmas so special is its temporary aspect. Very true. Because of that it makes me want to savor it more and I think that’s a good thing. Easier when I know it will return. Good words, Chaz.
Happy New Year to you and yours,
Debby
When I was a child, our tradition included keeping all the decorations up until Jan. 6. Not sure why, but I think it was 3 Kings Day or something. Anyway, we got to grow really tired of it (Thanksgiving weekend until 1/6 is over a month!) before we put it up. And the tree!–that thing was dry as a bone and a shedding mess. 🙂
I don’t think I ever heard of Three Kings Day until I was an adult and a friend with an episcopal background celebrated that. So many traditions even in the church. All interesting, it seems. I can’t imagine having everything up that long. I remember my mom taking them down on New Years as dad watched football games. As a kid, I was oblivious to the shedding mess, as you so rightly put it, that the tree makes. Thank you, Katharine, for sharing that memory. I do love hearing the traditions. Happy New Year to you!