“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19.
This has always been my favorite Bible verse. This year, I couldn’t get through our annual reading of the greatest birth story ever told without choking up.
The day was full of tradition: last minute shopping, take-out for dinner and holiday light driving with Kathy and Gana, freshly baked cookies for Santa. Not a single one of these things I love so much were compromised by leukemia. The boys fought and bickered and were full of spice, but at the end of the evening, when it was time for them to exchange one gift each, they worked together to build a baseball toy that Banyan had given to Benjamin. They were so kind to each other.
These are intense and beautiful days. My friend sent me a message today. She said, “Is it really jarring coming up to this New Year’s Eve, or do you feel relief knowing you’ve come so far?” Yes. The answer is yes. But I am inspired as I am every Christmas Eve by Mary, who chose love over fear, who treasured these things and pondered them in her heart. My heart has burst open this year more intensely than I ever could have expected. I am proud to ponder the many treasures that lie inside.
Merry Christmas, sweet friends and family; you dear, kind, loving people who have held our health in your hearts. Thank you.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas, my treasured friend. I love you to the moon and back.
Christmas Blessings to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your journey with me. You have brought so much love and light into my world by how you live and “treasure all of these things and ponder them in your heart” ❤️