We recently heard some not-so-good news and even though we are distressed, we didn’t let it distract us from providing our little ones with a twinkle of Christmas magic. In these shorter days of the winter solstice, we have learned another lesson that leaves the soul bruised and battered but not defeated. The thrill in our hearts as the boys darted through, across and beyond the outdoor aisles of fresh pines chasing the cinnamon-hued dogs that sniffed around the bottoms of the trees, valiantly restored our faith in this enchanting time of year. “What about this one?” my son points to the proud Douglas Fir that could have been the selection for Rockefeller Place. “Let’s keep searching,” I suggest as our shoulders brushed up against the aisles of Balsams, Nobles and Grands. So many firs, so little days left…is everyone doing this last minute like us? I imagine with our much welcomed rain recently, folks weren’t willing to comb vacant parking lots for their trees.

Here we were, a damp and brisk early evening under the twinkling stars, the official start of the holidays when the children toss their packs to the side for two weeks and start on this magical adventure…and it all begins with the tree. We all decide that the Grand Fir will be the one that will stand proudly lit in our nest. Her citrusy scent was irresistible to us all and the previous night’s rain that drew in slowly without thunder or hurry clothed the tree in dewy luster—she was pure delight. Dutifully, we brought her home and cherished the time spent together adorning our sparsely decorated tree, topped with the paper angel my eldest created in preschool.   And just like that with the flick of a switch, the magic streamed through the string of lights for the first time this year and lightened our hearts once again. Our appetites reminded us that it was time to enter the kitchen and as the dream team, together we mustered up some edible grub. The kitchen scene was just as playful as the decking of the halls we just accomplished. It reminded me of the Charlie Brown episode where Snoopy cooks for Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite clips…

check out his roundhouse kick as he pops kernels. My little one has just as much vigor in the kitchen and although I haven’t seen a roundhouse kick from him yet while he creates in the hearth of our nest…I have heard him singing, “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing cause everything is going to be alright,” as he flips pancakes. Sometimes even the youngest in the nest can put things into perspective. May the magic of Christmas be with you all no matter what life offers you at the moment. May you feel deeply refreshed, revitalized, and uplifted with many precious gifts like tolerance, patience, and compassion…and of course to all a good night!