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Said the night wind to the little lamb,
"Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?"
Have you noticed that Christmas is in the air? And just like in the stores, it starts earlier every year for me too. Do you see what I see? Do you see the long lines of young moms and babies waiting to have pictures taken with Santa? Do you see lights twinkling inside homes as you drive by? Do you see the weather forecasts that go on and on about snow and ice as though Minnesota has never before experienced a Minnesota winter?
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
November 12th, 2003
Oh, the weather outside is indeed frightful! Bits of ice pelt the windows and direct my gaze outward. Falling snow slants from left to right, then from right to left as the four winds swoop it up and swirl it down and start all over again. Mesmerizing.
For the first time since last winter, the ground is white. The sky is also white. And the backside of the doe's tail is white as it flits through our white backyard.
The wind packs a punch, but the large branches in our dense maple grove catch it in slow motion, it seems, and gracefully sway like a wheat field in a summer breeze. A graceful storm? Yes, and even musical.
Like a choir of humanity, the wind swells from base to soprano while the middle voices howl in the distance. Honking geese, who should have left home earlier, put discordance in the air as they fly through the predicted storm.
As the new weather directs my gaze outward, the glowing fireplace directs my thoughts inward. Flames devour the dry wood, sputter at the green wood, and burn evenly with the ripe wood.
The raging storm and the noisy choir rattle my windows, but there is a calm and restful peace at my hearth and home.
Still, Still, Still,
To sleep is now His will.
On Mary's breast He rests in slumber,
Still, Still, Still,
To sleep is now His will.
November 14th, 2003
Jenny calls to tell me that Miss Adeline, at the age of 9 months, takes her very first steps alone. The child is amaz-ing. She is not afraid of Santa Claus, and her attention is rapt by all the moving parts of Christmas. At Lego Land she be-lieves all children age 6 and under to be her equals. She waves her tiny hand at them, all the while proclaiming, "Nanananadada!" Addie Sue will soon be walking in her first winter wonderland.
Sleigh bells ring, are you list'nin'?
In the lane snow is glist'nin'
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,
Walking in a winter wonderland.
November 15th, 2003
The very still scene outside my window resembles the forest in Lord of the Rings, where little Hobbits sleep off the morning. A large fog envelopes our home and neighborhood. So silent. So still. Leftover leaves hang motionless, some by only a single nature's thread. Tall grasses hold bent heads of wild-flowers, dried in place. Snow is melted.
The sun tries to break through but the fog is strong. Eerie out there, and probably cold and clammy for the Hobbits, if there are any. For those who sleep in Inner Earth it is surely warm and dry ... and deep. Yes, a sense of mortality touches things this morning, but we keep on through the day and into the night.
Sleep, my Child, and peace attend Thee
All through the night.
Guardian angels God will send Thee,
All through the night.
November 17th, 2003
A great light suddenly pierces and fills the space in my office on this cloudy morning and catches me by surprise. I stop everything to check out its source. As I move forward, closer to my window, I see the small opening in the clouds. It paints the sky and lights up the floor of golden leaves in our yard, bringing vibrant color to the outdoors and also to me. It's breathtaking. It's heavenly. Do you like the word ethereal?
And then, just as suddenly as it hit, the light hides again from me. I shake off a touch of melancholy and give thanks for the peeking. I sit back for a moment and am reminded of Mount McKinley in Alaska, which I only got to see briefly also, when giant clouds had moved away to reveal the mountain's majesty and splendor. I won't forget that magnificent glimpse, a gracious gift.
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
December 2nd, 2003
My goodness, where has the time gone? Don't tell me another newspaper is ready to be printed! Thank you, God, for another miracle and for putting a song in my heart. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. And for the sake of peace, in our personal world as well as the world at large, I wish everyone a good will.
~Sue
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