this was supposed to look like a christmas tree (as it did on my christmas letter), but the blog is not cooperating. :)
Dear Family & Friends,
I always love
this time of year. The
favorite Christmas songs are dusted
off for all to enjoy once again and every
kitchen smells of ham, cranberry sauce and desserts.
In the Palmer house,
I am not usually up until a
week or two before Christmas, but this
year I must have been on the good list. I have
been standing tall since the day after Thanksgiving. If only
I could stay up
all year long. My soft
branches, glowing lights, sparkly
ornaments and perfectly wrapped presents invite family
and friends to gather. I have an interesting life…usually listening to muffled
sounds throughout
most of the year, from the basement
storage room. This year seemed like an exciting time in the
Palmer house. John and Lindsey decided to take on their first triathlon (5
weeks before it started). I remember John laughed with Lindsey when she wanted to do
the long distance
triathlon, but in the end, that is
what they did. They both finished in a little over 3
hours. Pretty impressive. I would not have made it out of the water! John
started his Masters this year. He spends several evenings and long hours on homework, but he
seems to enjoy
it (most of the time). Ollie
and Hazel are still the best of friends, although
they don't understand it yet. Hazel likes to sits by me, while Ollie usually
plays and runs around me. In my neck of the woods (aka, the basement), they are adding a new bathroom.
They did not
have a bathroom in the basement
and decided it was time to add one. It is not
quite finished, but is quickly taking shape after a few short months
of work. This Christmas, as the years seem to fly by faster, always remember the real reason why we celebrate.
I am a simple
reminder of what happened 2000 years
ago. Two trees were cut down, one became a cradle
and the other a cross, so you could live forever. When you look at me this
year, remember what I represent. There is more to me than shiny lights and packages.
Keep looking up, past the star. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart". Jer 29:13
