The only Santa I saw...

"Of one thing I am certain; the body is not the measure of healing - peace is the measure." ~George Melton

	we stumbled across this scene the very day I got my flu shot...
	a lone reindeer, bouncing on the beach... before I got the flu anyway
	one little boy, one little wish... before I dislocated my shoulder

December, for the most part, has consisted of a regime of pain killers, cough syrup, antibiotics, & carryout food for Handsome & me. He's managed to keep going of course (as men do)... my body said no. No decorations. No tree. No Christmas Day with the folks. I did watch Mixed Nuts five times... Steve Martin always cheers me up.

I had things to say, photos to share. And something very pretty from very far away arrived to make me smile. All that will come, when I am ouching less & typing more. And I hope to soon catch up on the blogs I enjoy. I miss your sweetness, your humor, your creativity, your deep thoughts and your dreams... your inspiration, my friends.

I did peek into the box where the buttermilk-white stockings are tucked away in soft tissue... ran my fingers over the pearls and tassels. They're not as fancy as they sound, but they sure are pretty. We began a much simpler Christmas a few years ago, replacing the big tree with the many Radkos... opting for several tabletop trees. One for each dog's special ornaments, & one for starfish and little things collected on vacation. I thought about my little trees, but didn't miss them as much as you might think. I love my things, but they are, after all, just things, right?

I haven't fretted, knowing I'm luckier than many. Lucky to have a good roof over my head. Lucky my warm bed is under that roof instead of in a hospital. Lucky to have people who missed me when I didn't show up. Lucky to still have my parents, all my sisters, and their families to adore. Lucky to have the chance to enjoy my mother's pretty tree for an afternoon before the fever. And lucky to have another chance to see the full moon in this double moon month. And to have a handsome guy to rub my aching shoulder. We did stand & sway the other night... couldn't call it a dance, but it was nice. That was our Christmas. I felt peaceful, safe, and loved.

What more could I ask?

farewell, 2009 all in all, you were a very good year

notes to self:

1. get the flu shot early
2. keep the pantry well stocked, cause you just never know
.