Dilemma

I purchased our family Christmas letterhead yesterday.  I happened upon a deal and had the sense about me to pick it up, even though Christmas seems at least six months away.  I was proud of myself for actually considering this a good idea, despite the mental calendar snafu.

I keep a file of our past Christmas cards, and so I took it out to refresh my memory as I consider what our letter will look like this year.  And there it was.  Last year's photo of our family huddled together in front of our fireplace.  UGH!!!  Stop me in my tracks emotion!  How can it be that such a place, the home in which we spent ten years making memories, looks so familiar and yet feels so very far from normal?!  I found it amazing as I looked at this picture that none of us had any idea of what life would look like today.  How different things can be without any warning.  Normal is ever evolving - changing.  Such is life.  

  

So, here's my problem:  It's fair to say it's going to take some time before I get to those boxes and boxes of photos that forever call to me.  They have always called to me, and I have always had my reasons for not answering, so I thought.  I guess I'm not ready to get into those boxes for fear of stirring up too much feeling.  Not just yet. 

  

When I get down about feeling down lately, I tell myself this IS normal. Better said, buck up and get on with it Tracy!!!  And thankfully, with His help, I shift my thoughts to all the new blessings in my life.  

And relish the old.  Those pictures are waiting!