Fall color...

It's one of the stranger things about living in Houston - the fact that our fall color might be its most vibrant just the week before Christmas. But, indeed, that is what has happened in the gardens. A raft of poinsettias in pots contrasting with the yellows and red of the changing foliage.

What a blessing! As I have driven through our beloved Memorial park every day and witnessed the destruction of the drought, it has been spirit- lifting to see some of the trees changing color not because they were dead, but because they were still alive and preparing for rest. Somehow, that amongst all of the death, there were still things alive, and thriving, and holding on for dear life, and going on about their normal routines.

The holiday madness at work has ended. Next week will be quiet. Many will be leaving for holidays with family. We will be blessed with a simpler rhythm, and a wrapping up of the old year before starting the new - going about a more normal routine. This evening, with the help of my younger son, I decorated a mini-tree with some of our most representative ornaments, and while unpacking to find those treasured pieces, divided up the ornaments from our 30 year old artificial tree into 4 most appropriate boxes - one for each "child" and one for me. With a bottle of wine and home-heated pizza, it was a good evening. Somehow, I felt a little like those trees, dressing for the holidays a little differently than before, and shedding some treasured leaves to downsize for the winter.

It now feels like Christmas is coming, and peace can be part of our lives for a while, if we let it. Silent night. Sleep in heavenly peace.