Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Here on my side of the dateline Christmas Day is drawing to a starry end.
There were roast potatoes eaten, carols sung, too many scorched almonds to count were ingested and paper and bows litter the floor beneath my Christmas tree.
Every year though, the most important gifts of this day are not those that I unwrap on the morning of the 25th of December. The greatest presents are those that I entrust to the corners of my heart and the dusty files of my memory, saving them up for every moment in the years to come when I feel a little low, or when I need reminding of what the real reason is for the madness of everyday life.
On a lonely day I reach into the chambers of my heart and draw out a slightly bent house shaped package. As I peel off the brown paper, I see my house and inside my family are waving. I know that when I get home there will be a hug to warm me again, and a strong shoulder to lay my head upon to take away the weariness of the day.
There are days when I need to take a gift out of my memory, just a little something to make me smile, and I dust off a furry, wiggling parcel and unwrap the memory of Molly sitting on my uncle's lap bathing his face with kisses while we all laughed at her intensity.
I am a lucky woman, not only at this time of year, but through all my days. I stockpile the gifts of the time that I am fortunate enough to share with those I love, and I am never without the gift of someone's presence.

To all my friends and family who are ending their Christmas Day as I am, and all my friends and family (including my blogging family) who are just starting their December 25th; I am making a wish for you all.
May this day, and the year that follows be full of gifts everyday; may there be warm arms and wagging tails to greet you, may you find something to love everyday, take time to find peace in your life and hope in your heart, keep a smile close and handy and share it with everyone you meet and may the joy of the season follow you the whole year long.
Merry Christmas everyone, stay safe, and lots of love from my heart and home to yours,
Amy.