Quiet Memories

A very large part of me feels as though I haven't accomplished much today.  Sure, I woke up earlier than usual and went to a hair appointment with Bon and Grandma.  (More to visit my lovely hairdresser than to be of any help to them.)  And I ate, which promptly made me feel bleh.  So I laid down... for much longer than I wanted to.
Eva and I did do our devos today... and visiting with her is always a joy, a bright spot in my week, but choosing joy meant that I had to forgo working on the basement today.  By the time I got home there just wasn't enough time to bother doing any work, because I wouldn't have time to shower and eat before going to my half shift tonight.
But as I sat in my room berating myself for being so lazy today, I realized that I accomplished a day of relaxing.  I had honestly forgotten what that feels like because of all the pressure I've been putting on myself of late to keep the basement project moving forward.  I've been trying to go-go-go as much as I can, and it's been mildly tiring.
I think we need that.  We need the occasional day to sit back, put our feet up, maybe catch up on some sleep.  We need to slow down; 'stop and smell the roses'.  We need to read a good book, or belt out a good song, and just feel content and happy.  How often do we set aside time for that?  Especially at this time of year with presents to be bought and wrapped, decorations to be hung, cards to be sent, cookies to be baked.
Looking back on my childhood, sure giving and receiving presents was great, but the memories I cherish most are the quiet ones.  Curling up with my family to watch Scrooged (our favourite Christmas movie); going to church on Christmas Eve; the hugs from family and friends; driving around to look at all the houses decorated; sledding down the golf course hill with my dad on my GT.  The memories that you make, that's what will stay with you.  Will you remember what you bought everyone for Christmas next year?  Or in the next five or ten years?  Probably not.  But you will remember that quiet conversation with someone you love by a cozy fire, that unhurried kiss under the mistletoe, the laugh of your baby as they try to sing along to the Christmas carols.
That's what we should be savoring at this time of year.  So in the middle of all that rushing around, make a day or two to make some quiet memories this season.  You won't regret it I'm sure.  (Even if my mind is still telling me I should have tried to paint something today. :P)
<3 Kayla