Christmas Is...

• Finding, in attic boxes, ornaments collected in celebration of each year of our child’s life, and remembering her exclamations in past years as she unwrapped every one. Decorating the tree’s fresh fir branches with the abundance of what we’ve given her, and what she has made—treasure that cannot be bought.
• Singing carols along with all our tapes and CD’s, even the bargain basement Wal-Mart brands that sound as if they were recorded in a garage. Watching favorite Christmas movies on the VCR/TV—both versions, if there are remakes, to decide what parts we like best.
• Stringing LIGHTS!! Icicles of white lights from the roof tops, windows ensconced in rainbow colors, and the tree—a centerpiece of glowing joy to the world. Our Christmas tree-shaped candelabra, radiating red-and-green, and the yellow-gold flames of the wood stove reflecting upon its protective glass.
• Relishing CHRISTMAS VACATION! Sleeping late, reading, playing cards and games, stringing cranberries and popcorn garlands, laughing, talking, visiting friends, kissing under mistletoe, walking in new fallen snow, returning home for hot toddies by the fire, and appreciating all of our blessings. Buying the right gift or, better yet, making it for the one you love. Gaily wrapped presents finding their place under the tree, in larger and larger boxes to foil the guesswork that comes with age.
• Baking sugar cookies with red and green sparkles and gingerbread men with white icing eyes, cooking fudge and licking the bowl, kneading bread dough to fill with raisins and nuts or guava paste, reminiscent of our island days.
• CELEBRATING CHRIST’S BIRTH! In twenty-four hours—beginning with Christmas Eve—joining with family and friends, dressing up, going to church, opening Santa’s gifts, eating ritual foods of cinnamon and spice that evoke childhood memories, and basking in the fellowship and joy that is the promise of God’s gift of his son to us all.

Winter is...

• Seeing vistas of rolling, deep purple mountain ranges, one after another in endless progression, against a slate sky revealed through barren branches of trees whose leaves decorate the forest floor.
• Journalizing in introspection as I relish the quiet of the season and the enforced stillness of my endless duties and interests. Having time for my soul’s growth and listening to the quiet within.
• Purring cats cuddled by the fire, stretching in ecstasy as I stroke their back or rub their ears. Dogs leaping through snow drifts, chasing one another through sugar-spun mounds that twinkle in breaking sunlight.
• Hearing the morning alarm, dreading the cold that awaits me as I race for the switch on the thermostat. Flying back to bed until the heater can work its magic. Repeating the gist of the scenario an hour later with my automobile.
• Following spoor of deer, pale with lichens and moss that sustain when grasses fail in killing cold and frost. Counting tracks in the snow leading to the creek branch, where tender greens peek through the crisp white blanket.
• Waking to ice storms and praying the electric power will hold as we watch crystal palaces from our windows, and trees that bend low with the weight of glass that encapsulates the branches in sparkling rainbow beauty.

• Wrapping in wool, watching steaming breath against ruddy cheeks and gleaming eyes as cold bites the tender skin that is left exposed. Walking in heavy boots that repel the damp chill, trudging through the wasted landscape that awaits spring’s kiss.
• Reading seed and garden catalogs and dreaming of warmth and green and growing again. Watching the sun as it spurns and returns—bringing back longer days and the sweet promise of awakening.
• Knowing the love of my family and its sustaining essence, filling my heart with light and happiness. Winter is gaining insight as I acknowledge all of my blessings and give thanks for all that I receive, all that I am, and the love of God that shines within.

~Gabrielle Thompson lives with her husband Ed and daughter Lyric in the mountains of western North Carolina at Eco-Cove, a 117-acre wildlife sanctuary and trout farm. She has a degree in Anthropology, works in the library at the local community college, and is a free-lance writer. Previously, she helped Ed build, sail, and charter the 75’ schooner, SATORI, for 14 years in the Virgin Islands.

Gabrielle recently finished a novel, Adventures in Paradise. She writes: "Thanks for all of your good thoughts and prayer. I went to a writer’s conference (after submitting a chapter and synopsis) and had a critiquing session with the top editorial director for the Writer’s Digest Books. SHE LOVED what she read... and gave me 3 NY agent names, saying to use her as a reference! She also told me to do so with an editor from Simon & Schuster. She was very complimentary, and told me I was ON MY WAY! So keep me in your thoughts and prayers for awhile yet, until I get an agent and book deal!"