Five days--I still haven't gotten my tree!! Hopefully, this weekend--Monday by the latest. There is no need to get this early. It won't be decorated until Lindsay comes home from Texas on Tuesday.

Five days--I still have some things to finish here!! But, I am to the point of "what is finished is finished and what isn't finished isn't!"

Completed are Cara's scarf and hat, Lindsay's two market bags, and Andrew's hat. Some gifts have already been completed, sent and received. Some are still working their way through the postal system. Andrew will also be receiving the gift of a donation made in his name towards the digging of a well in West Africa.

These are my children's gifts, and they will be ecstatic!! Do you know why they will be ecstatic? Because last year and the year before that, I had nothing for them--absolutely nothing.

But, they were still happy even without a single present from me. And why were they happy?

Because we were together--my children and I--enjoying each other's company--laughing, telling stories of some past CHRISTmases that weren't so happy. And yes, we can look back and even laugh about some of these incidents now!

Each one of my children have had a difficult childhood, and yet I look at them today and I am amazed--amazed that they have love and compassion in their hearts for others. Even through all the difficulties, they have grown and learned to love.

They were happy because all of the bills were paid--remembering the years when this had not been the case--years of sadness, anger, frustration, constant arguments, and even violence. They were happy because of the peace prevailing in our household now. Peace--what greater gift could I even give them?

I know!!! There is a greater gift--if only they would accept it!! All in God's timing--patience, Beth, patience!!

Do you know the greater gift? Oh, please--stop by here and read about it. It is the greatest gift of all!!

Beth