Christmas - What's it really all about!?!

A time of celebration, of hope, of redemption.

As I contemplate the above, I marvel that I've been given the faith to believe. To many it is foolishness but to me He is the saving grace in my life. Everything I am able to do is because he has given me the strength. He is also a forgiving God as you will find out if you continue on this journey of mine.

I woke up Sunday to a very windy and rainy day. I had made plans to run with a tri club member so we headed out to run around the seawall. He wasn't able to run the whole way so we walked quite a bit. When we finished, I felt unfulfilled so I did a loop by myself. Running always gives me a chance to reflect on my life and my relationship with Jesus and where I am at. I had wanted to go to church but never made it. I attend an awesome little church where everyone is welcome but this last year has been the toughest year of my 20 year marriage. I know the church cares and wants to help but I just don't have the energy to explain what's made it so tough. I guess I'm also mad at God because He didn't stop us in our tracks. I will explain "this last year" later.

Finished my run and then went out and did a bit of shopping. I'm not a shopper and thank goodness my husband likes bike accessories. The tri bike shop that I usually frequent is staffed with awesome guys and girls. They are knowledgeable and treat you like family. I always end up spending at least an hour in there, sometimes coming out with nothing more than a smile.

All in all it was a great day and I will go back to church in the New Year.

I also made a very liberating decision. After 20 years of marriage I have decided to have my own bank account. This was something my husband fought but because I'm a saver and he is a spender, it has caused some conflict between us. Finally, after a threat of getting a financial adviser involved, he agreed that I could have this account and we would share the bills - and!! see who can save more money. Should be very interesting over the next year. Hopefully, this will give him incentive (he's a type A - very competitive).

Today, Monday is a beautiful day - lots of sun. Had a great walk to work and got to wish all sorts of people a Merry Christmas. I'm off at noon and plan to do a gym workout before I go home. Had a wonderful Christmas Eve with wonderful friends, Christina and Mike and little 2 month old Cooper. What an incredible little boy - so full of joy.

Christmas day started with our annual run - this year it was the trails of Stanley Park. Gerry has been dealing with a calf injury but he was able to run for an hour. My new way of running is allowing me to run longer and faster without the pain I had before.

We are spending Christmas by ourselves as Gerry has to work on Boxing Day. We had a great breakfast and then sat down to watch The Nativity Story. What a wonderful movie to watch on Christmas Day. We had our Christmas turkey dinner - tradition is very important to me and even though there was just the two of us, we still did Christmas dinner as if there was a large family attending. Hopefully, one day that will happen.

Well, it's getting late so I'm off to bed. And a wonderful day was had!!!!

Barbara <><