Christmas Glimpses

Gingerbread man that Satvinder decorated - his limbs did not last long.

This may be the last year for a Santa pic - we'll see. Satvinder and our friend, Elia, agreed to do a picture with Santa to appease me and give Sukhjot the experience. Satvinder figured out the Santa myth quite some time ago. And she has been rather disgusted with us for supporting such a "lie." I talked to her about being the keeper of the legend, sharing and supporting the story as a way to bring the feeling of magic and wonder and the underlying lesson of giving from the heart. She just looked at me and said, "But it is a lie." She doesn't want to tell Sukhjot the lie. She wants no part of it. Satvinder's name does mean "spreads truth" so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

It has brought me to evaluate my attachment to the story. I wanted it for her because I enjoyed it as a child. But Satvinder never really got into it, she always questioned it, and now she says, "Why not just talk about giving and sharing instead of telling the story?" It has brought me to realize there is a lot of magic in wonder in the reality. We give love and gifts and time together. And that is a beautiful thing.

So Santa. We'll see. I'm fine with putting that ritual to rest. We can find rituals that have more meaning for the actual people involved. But for now, I like the picture. I like that the kids are not dressed up in velvet Christmas clothes - they are just themselves. I like that they have their own funny expressions. And I like that, despite not being into Santa themselves, they were sweet enough to take some funny Santa picture to make me smile.

Christmas tree at my in-laws' house in Flagstaff. Please notice the door with the big red ribbon. They prepared and painted that door for our house - to replace our rotting back door. This new door pleases me greatly.

Opening presents

Breakfast on Christmas morning - home made cinnamon rolls. The recipe uses cottage cheese, which made for the most moist and perfect cinnamon rolls I have ever tasted.

Wishing you all a cozy, peaceful, and happy holiday.