Life On Lisburn

I can't put my finger on just when it happened, but somewhere along the way this December, I misplaced my Christmas cheer. All the Netflix and Hallmark movies, the Elf on the Shelf, the cookie baking, the Christmas story reading and the quests for the perfect gift have provided distraction - but something still feels off. I know feelings can be deceptive, but I maintain that there has to be some opportunity to find that missing Christmas cheer or at the very least to trick myself into finding it until it reappears in a genuine form. Over the recent weeks the hymns of Christmas have been a source of smiles and an uplifted heart.

Until yesterday's PA weather hit a sunny 64 degrees, I don't think I'd ever really made a connection between my Christmas cheer and the weather.  Then there's also the fact that Hope isn't home yet...but we'll put most of the 'blame' on the grey days we've had recently. But, sunny days are here.  The temp has dropped back down - but there's sunshine! I found myself chipper (even sitting in traffic).  The rascals and I are the only ones awake right now and I'm looking out on a sunny day and thinking back on the Zimbabwean blue skies at Christmastime. I have to admit, it's important for me to put the proper perspective on those blue skies.  While they made for great Christmas memories, they often meant significant stress for others.  To give some context, typically, the lack of grey skies meant that we were in the midst of another drought.  December in Zimbabwe means 'rainy season'.  If the rains hadn't started in September, c...