'gratitude' day

Today, traditionally (at least it is for me), is about writing 'thank you' letters.

I know it's called Boxing Day. And I know why it's called that. But for myself it's a kind of 'thank you' day.

If I don't start to write these letters now, chances are they'll not get written at all! I like to say the 'thank you's while the gratitude is fresh and isn't something forced.

So for long enough today's the day I always try and do that sort of thing. My Mum's was the first I'd usually write.

A chance to put on paper what can easily go unsaid. Thank you. Not just for the gifts that she'd given. But for all that she'd been and all that she'd done and all that she'd given through life.

Today, of course, there hasn't been that letter. Another little void to add to all the others that there are this time of year. The gratitude is there as much as ever. But there isn't any more the chance to put it down on paper and say it in that way. I miss that today. And I miss her just not being around.

And yet, for her I'm more than glad. She made our Christmas special from our youngest years. And the memories which stretch right back to the dawning of my life, those memories are all such rich and happy ones. And so I'm glad for her that now she's got the biggest, truest Christmas of them all: the one to which the rich and happy memories all have pointed down the years.

I couldn't wish for any better gift for her to have!

Along with the letters and cards I've been catching up a bit on other things. This time of year all sorts of things have through these past few weeks got put aside meanwhile. It always happens. It's just a simple matter of priorities being juggled just a bit to fit in all the extra things the Christmas season brings.

And, of course, the horizon on which this coming Sunday stands is drawing rather near again! I'm trying to give some thought to that as well.

So I was down at the halls the bulk of the morning. Playing catch-up. And saying 'thank you', too, of course.

And yes .. 'thank you' to the Lord himself. I'm conscious of the daily grace afforded me whereby he has enabled me for all the added chances there have been to share with different people just how good the good news is!

This afternoon's been more about a 'clean up' than a catch-up! The kitchen more than an office.

Sorting through the dietary debris that's left when Christmas Day is done. Left-overs. That sort of thing. And how to turn them all and use them all for meals and menus coming days will bring. More people. Family and friends. Celebration time.

A rather different sort of preparation! Feeding hungry stomachs (well, maybe not that 'hungry': 'receptive' and expectant more like!), rather than that feeding of the soul.

Important nonetheless! Christ's presence at the table is an under-rated thing! Meal-times are occasions when we're meant to know the friendship and the banter of the Lord as well as all the fun and food and friendship round the table which we share with other people at such times as this.

Having him so present in our lives .. it's that for which I'm truly very thankful day by day.