Christmas is coming closer! This is the first year in probably 17 years that I will celebrate it for the sake of celebration. My ex-husband had trauma associated with Christmas so to honor his feelings we didn't celebrate it. Ah, but I miss the smell of the tree and the lovely lights and ornaments! This year I will be having a tree. And I splurged on gifts for all my loved ones! It will be a blast from the past watching them open their gifts. The gift is truly in the giv

Winter is a time of expectation. The ground waits for the new growth of spring to burst forth. The animals endure the cold perhaps not cognizant that a spring will come. For me it is a time to rest in my accomplishments of the previous year and plan for the year ahead. It is a time to take stock of my priorities, whether I am being faithful to myself and my dreams. It is a time of decisions: are my goals in line with my priorities; are the people in my life supporting me an