Christmas Blessings

Dear Readers,

You may be under the false impression that because it’s January 14th Christmas is over and won’t be celebrated again until December. Well, you are incorrect. I’m sorry.

Today I received a Christmas miracle. One of my good friends Shannon sent me a package back in early December. It was intended to bring Christmas to Spain. We both kept waiting for the package to come but it never did. When I got back from my holidays and there was still nothing we both pretty much gave it up as lost. But today I headed to the post office and brought that package home with me! I put on Christmas music, made peppermint hot chocolate and opened it up. It was full of Christmas. Shannon thought of everything—candy canes, a full size paper Christmas tree, ornaments, a star, and even some gifts to go under the tree: an amazing bracelet that I highly suspect she made herself and some raspberry propel aka raspberry cordial (an inside thing).

So that’s it, I’m calling it. It’s Christmas. Throw away the calendars and think outside the box. I am going to hang the tree up in my room and decorate it and this weekend I am going to soak up the seasonal spirit.

Santa has stopped by my piso an overwhelming number of times this season and I have laughed and cried happy tears over how kind, thoughtful and clever my friends and family are. I am beyond touched. I wish I could express it as well as I feel it. I mean it when I say I was overwhelmed by how many of you sent cards and even packages so that I felt closer to home while spending Christmas away from family and friends in a foreign country. Guys, you filled up the mail string. You overflowed the mail string! I’m still brain storming how to display all of my lovely cards.

Dear Jen,
Books=life. Thank you so much for making sure I had plenty of holiday reading material. And of course thank you for the Eclipse download—it is the best guilty pleasure indulgence ever!...even if it makes me miss you terribly. Marathon in June, ok?

Dear Tina,
Your package(s) made me giddy with glee. Each item was just what I needed and showed how well you know me. My Belle ornament is hanging up in my room and makes me smile daily.

Dear Patti, Jim, Anna and Jane,
I loved opening each and every one of the delightful and perfect gifts you sent me for Christmas. Each one showed how well you know me and made me fell truly loved and understood. Beauty and the Beast! A teapot! A shirt from The Elephant House! Lavender soap! I was in awe as I opened a gift a day. Each one was equally as touching and perfect for me. Thank you so much for taking the time to send me such beautiful gifts.

Dear Ivy,
You were the first to go so far out of your way to try to send me a care package back in early November when I was struggling quite a bit. Although Spanish customs decided to spite us both and keep the goodies, I hope you know how much I appreciate the thought and effort. I am very sorry for the trouble, but please know how much the package means to me all the same. And I’m not giving up on it yet!

So many of you sent me gorgeous cards filled with valuable wisdom, cheerful sentiments, loving encouragement and humor. I ooh-ed and ahh-ed over each one. Often I held on to the cards I received and waited to open them until the moment I needed a friendly word the most. Please know that your cards meant so much more to me than you might imagine—they were never just a piece of mail.

Thank you Grandma De, Grandma, The Colliers, Mom & Dad, Jen U., Vanessa, Ashton, Sabs, Stephanie F., Amanda, Elyse, Samantha F., Haley, Ali G., Ja, Marci, and Kelley F. for the cards!

Dear Pilar, Eloy, Cristina and family,

I am so blessed and grateful to you for taking me in to share Christmas with your family. You were so kind to include me in the festivities and even to go so far as to give me gifts! My scarf and hat saved me in the cold Scottish weather and I can’t wait to use my travel bag.

Phew! Sorry if I overwhelmed you with this post, but it was overdue. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!

Now I’m going to go enjoy a little bit of Christmas in January.

Love,
Kate