Merry Christmas!

The days leading up to Christmas have come with a bit of anxiety. Dad took a tumble on a curb. Thankfully, my brother and his family were with him and he’s okay, besides being sore. Yesterday, Dad’s emergency alert alarm went off, and I got a call from the monitoring company. I couldn’t locate him, and panic ensued. It turns out that it was a false alarm, and he was out walking the dog. Whew!

Yesterday, Paul had to travel to Augusta, Maine, for an appointment at the VA hospital this morning. The weatherman was correct in his prediction of snow – we’ve got about 8 inches of new snow that Paul had to drive home through today. What’s usually a 2.5-hour drive turned into a 4.5-hour nerve-wracking drive–for both of us. Paul messaged along the way with updates, and I periodically checked his progress on my family tracker app. He’s home, and I can breathe easy now and look forward to snuggling in for the remainder of the storm and Christmas. I’m grateful for so much today. Not the least of which is power–which we didn’t have two years ago.

The bird feeders are full. My gifts are wrapped. Our holiday meals planned. The house is as clean as it’s going to get. I’m snuggled in on the sofa with two pups and a cat, feeling the need for that long winter’s nap.

It’s my tradition to share a linoleum block print created by my great-great-aunt, Elizabeth Strobel (1886-1982). You can find more about the history of these prints here. This particular piece caught my attention as I sorted through the prints handed down to me—31 in total, though I know there are more out there in the universe. It is dated “1975” in pencil at the bottom, which appears in my grandmother’s handwriting. If this date is accurate, Elizabeth would have been 89 years old when she created it.

Alongside the Madonna, the Christ child, angels, St. Nicholas, and wildlife, there is also what looks like a satellite front and center. I find this contrast in imagery fascinating. And the quote featured is especially thought-provoking and relevant for our times—and apparently, for the mid-1970s:

“Now let honor and integrity shine out over all the world.”

I hope this holiday season brings laughter to your homes and peace to your hearts. Whether you’re celebrating with family and friends or enjoying some quiet time alone, I wish you comfort and joy in the beauty of the season.

Merry Christmas!

View past Christmas messages and Elizabeth’s linoleum block prints.