Looking Back

Dear Friends,

My first Christmas that I spent away from my boys, three Christmases ago now, I had a feeling of fear and desperation at the thought of spending the holiday by myself.  So off I went to my sister and her family’s house…my sister's family might have enjoyed having some of the holiday to themselves, but I deeply needed a place to land and stay, and I will forever appreciate them being that place that year.

A few months ago, when thinking about this year's holiday plans without my boys, I was marveling at the difference a few years made.  While that first Christmas by myself was surrounded by a distinct feeling of fear and desperation at the thought of being alone, this Christmas I was actually excited for a day to myself.  I made plans to head to my sisters for Christmas Eve, and then to have a purposeful alone day full of movies, books, and a nice long soak in the tub on Christmas day.

As it turns out, instead of my alone day, I randomly decided a couple of weeks ago to buy a ticket to California to surprise my parents and another sister and her family on Christmas day, so, barring unforeseen weather circumstances, I should be in Cali when you read this, and my alone day is going to have to be rescheduled.

Even so, as I recalled the emotional difference a few years made in my own life, I’ve been thinking about the growth and progression in our lives.  Sometimes when we’re in the middle of a journey we can’t see the growth and change we’ve made along the way, and it gets discouraging….but it takes looking back, recalling where we were and where we are now to see how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown.

My dear friend, I hope you can take a little time to look back and see your own growth as you walk through this life.

I hope you have an amazing week and a lovely holiday season full of connection and ease.  I am so incredibly grateful to each and every one of you.

Love
Krista