a new year

With the blissful blur
known as December
behind us

the work parties

the gift finding

the wrapping in colorful paper

the decorating with jewels from the attic

bringing to mind

Christmases past

the remembering

the snicker doodles 

peanut butter cookies with blossoming

chocolate kisses

pecan roca candy

the card sending and receiving

 the feeling of joy when the mail is brought in 

a little pile assembled

opening each with a smile

the stressful moments

which I had hoped would pass me by

finding me

 right on time

the Christmas Eve family service

singing of carols

two special girls at the alter

listening to a story with

growing impatience

the family gathering

smaller than usual

just as sweet

with all the trimmings

that make it

our Christmas

with all that behind us

we settle down

for a quiet night

alone

just the four of us

with plans for game night

traded in for

 Netflix 

binging on

Blue Bloods

tending to a 

Christmas cold

that some did not avoid

game night will have to wait

instead

the warming by a fire

drink at hand

a pizza and Greek salad

celebration

the falling asleep

on a couch that bears my imprint 

the wakening with a shake at midnight

to welcome in the new year

sharing of kisses

and wishes

and a secret

that you have a feeling

a hunch, actually

that 2015

is going to be

a very good year.

quite possibly

the best year yet...

and that my friends 

is my simple wish

my prayer

for each of you.

Happy New Year.