Christmas Blessings

Dearest daughter,

What a wonderful experience it was to have you home this Christmas.  2019 was a tough year for us medically and I know that you and I both are ready to ring in the new year and be done with it.  I am so grateful that we were able to spend the holiday together this year and end the year on a really great note!

I think back to our past Christmas experiences and to be honest, they are all over the place.  We really don’t have the traditions I had often wished we would create together.    Sometimes we would spend the break here in Cali.  Other times, we would travel to Florida or North Carolina to be with family.  Location was never something we could easily hold sacred because there were so many things out of our control when you were growing up.  But the blessing in all of that is the realization that we are happy no matter where we are.  We don’t need Christmas “traditions” for it to feel like Christmas.  We just need one another close in heart to share and celebrate all that we have to be thankful for.  And boy do we have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Yes, I had to have two surgeries and you landed yourself in the ER more than twice this year.  However, your symptoms are improving and you have been invited for interviews to every veterinary school you applied to and you are accepted to one already while patiently waiting for the results of the other applications.  You have done so well sweetie and for that, I am incredibly blessed and grateful.

We also have the blessing of being in this beautiful home with lots of space and our animals on the property.  It truly is a dream come true that you and I would fantasize about when you were really little.  I still cannot believe that we live here amongst these beautiful trees and pastures where the horses can be relaxed and sun in the pastures and our dog can run free on the property.  My favorite thing to do is sit on the porch and watch you ride Harry in the arena.  I am so grateful to Gilad for working so hard to get us in this property.

I look towards 2020 with great anticipation and excitement.  You have literally the world at your feet and have incredible choices to make.  I get to have a front seat to watch it all play out and I consider that yet another Christmas Blessing.

Remember to thank God for the blessing of his Son and for all that we have in our lives to be grateful for.  Every single painful experience that has brought you to this point has been an experience to grow you and make you stronger.  Don’t ever forget that those experiences are actually blessings in disguise.

I love you my sweet daughter and hope that this next year will be the very best yet.  I hope you will seek God in all things and most especially this very important decision of where to study next.

Love,

Mom