I watched my grandchildren motor away mid-morning and as their car pulled away a small patch of blue sky opened in the overcast sky and I thought to myself, Chief and Rosie are looking down and giving safe travels to Thomas and his family. Our family Christmas dinner could not have been more glorious. The great-grandchildren are getting older and have formed their cousin friendships like their parents which makes me happy to know our family traditions will continue with their generation.

I told all my nieces the Christmas china could go in the dishwasher this year so they could just sit and visit with their cousins and I’d load the dishwasher after every one went home but I could see them washing things and scurrying around in the kitchen cleaning up. They’re all so sweet and solicitous to me. Got up this morning and unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. Washed a few plates. Put up a few things, sat down to drink a cup of coffee and opened the power bill to the apartment downstairs.

My water heater is in the basement and on the apartment’s power bill. My usual $80 bill was $162. To make a short story the water heater was leaking but confined in the back basement room, no water in the apartment. Thank goodness my oldest son knew how to turn the water off on the heater and drain it. Repair man arriving at eight in the morning. Didn’t let this hiccup ruin my joyous morning with my family. We ate cinnamon rolls and opened our Christmas presents. I got a bird feeder with a camera! Makes photos and videos and I can watch the birds as they visit the feeder. So happy so see who visits tomorrow. Fatty the squirrel will probably show up before the songbirds. I can’t wait to see his fat little face. Thanks sweet family you know I’ll enjoy it so very much.

Since there was no hot water to wash things I sat resting in my reading chair in the lady den this afternoon watching the bamboo dance in the wind, their long slender branched fingers playing a piano concerto as an accompaniment to the wind chimes tintinnabulations. I’m reflecting on what a blessed woman I am. My entire family was under my roof last night. Everyone happy, the little ones just bursting with excitement. God is good.

I’m pondering on technology on this damp afternoon. Sat down to compose my thoughts and asked Alexa on my Echo Dot what was the temperature outside just to see if it might be cold enough for a snow flurry. Course I knew it wasn’t. I just like to ask her things. Then I asked her to play Christmas music by Michael Bublè. I am technology challenged but I took to the Echo Dot like duck to water. I ask it dumb questions all day long, get the weather forecasts, listen to music from my high school and college years. Before I get out of bed I ask Alexa what the temperature is outside so I’ll know if Penelope and I need a sweater for our morning walk. I once asked it where was Shady Oaks. Pennsylvania…so far away my friend and I probably don’t have to worry. My favorite question is “Alexa, how many fleas on a wart hog.” You interested in the fleas — 2.3. I love it.

I’ve been sitting in the lady den all afternoon watching the flames on my electric heater. My oldest son and his family gave it to me for Christmas last year. The heater looks like a small wood stove and I’m in love with it. Penelope loves to nap in front of it. I’m mesmerized by this little heater and all the memories it has conjured up today. Chief and I heated our first home with a wood stove and I loved to cook on it. This heater has realistic looking logs and flames, reminds me so much of the wood fireplace at my home in Alexander City, too. I really miss the fireplace, the woodsy smell, the heat from the fires, seeing Penelope sleeping on the hearth, Chief in his rocking chair reading his books and seed catalogs while I watched them and the flames.

We all crave warmth in many different forms, the warmth of a fire, the warmth of our family and friends, the warmth of a beloved mate, the warmth of a good meal, the warmth of sunshine on a cloudy day, the warmth of a loving God. God’s warmth is a feeling of love and peace, giving us security, comforting our heart and soul. You know that wonderful feeling when you crawl under a warm blanket. God’s grace covers us like an heirloom quilt, his arms outstretched to hold us in his warmth. God’s love gives us joy in life, keeps us living, gives us hope.

Life is not fair and life is not predictable. We can’t control the storms that bring coldness to our lives but God is always nearby with open arms of warmth and love, giving us strength to cope with whatever life throws our way.

“God is always seeking you. Every sunset. Every clear blue sky. Each ocean wave. The starry hosts of night. He blankets each new day with the invitation, ‘I am here.’” — Louie Giglio