It’s Christmas time and here’s what I’m thinking; being an empty nester can be fun, but not so much at Christmas time. My sons are living happy lives, and I love that. I’m enjoying doing things I haven’t made time for in years, I’ve even started back at creating art, I’m writing a great book I’d love to read, I’m cooking up a storm when it suits me, eating cereal when it doesn’t. But in these weeks leading up to Christmas, I haven’t even put up a tree.

I’ll probably create something resembling a tree before the day itself, when one of my boys and my brother and his wife will come for feasting, gift giving and our traditional darts tournament. I’m hoping we can all Skype with my son and his girlfriend in Beijing. It’ll be a fun day. But I’m an anticipation girl. I like the lead-up to an event almost as much as the event itself, and with no kids at home, I just don’t get to share that with them now. That part of Christmas was always so much fun in the past.

I think I’m not finished creating new traditions around Christmas. It seems I need a new way to enjoy the prelude to the day. Maybe with my husband, or maybe on my own. I’m a creative person, I’m good at thinking up fun ways to enjoy my small, happy life.

Merry Christmas, Happy Saturnalia, Seasons Greetings. I hope you have a good one. I also hope that you enjoy December for what it is; the lead-up to a special day we make your own as we share it with friends and family.

xx Rachel