The stress of the holiday season has passed. Bringing in the New Year is all that remains. It’s the morning after Christmas which is always a peaceful thing. Children are sound asleep after a day of excitement. Parents are asleep from a month of sheer exhaustion.

I have the night off but I’m usually up at this hour (2 am) in the morning so it’s no big thing. It’s kind of peaceful and quiet. I’m reflecting on some of the personal gifts I got this year from my children and grandchildren and smiling.

All of them are such gifts themselves, but they touched our hearts again as usual. Thoughtfulness is shown through the things they give. Making my better half cry seems to be their goal each year, and they succeeded again.

It was one of those family days I stored deep in me that I call on throughout the year if I can’t see them as often as I like to remind myself that they are right here in my heart and that the next time together is close at hand.

---

Two of the gifts I received reflect one of my future interests. I’m going to become a reader of books. Not that I haven’t been a very active reader in my lifetime. Most of it was geared towards work (technical) and news and magazine-style pieces.

The time to sit down with a good book for enjoyment was nill. But now I hope to read for enjoyment about the interest of mine and maybe beyond. Maybe I’ll add to what is probably a gazillion opinions on books I’ve read.

---

Random Thoughts of the Day

• In some ways, I miss a white Christmas but I’m glad my children didn’t have to travel in it.
• Every once in a while I like listening to some very old tunes my parents liked. Especially this time of season.
• I don’t often fall asleep at the computer but I did this morning. Feeling better after a nap now.
• My last trip to the downtown office this week while still employed.