December 2021 Story 28: Gratitude and hopes for next year

This is a wrap. The final story. Only 28 stories and not the usual 31.
For the last two months of this year we have been determined to find a reason to celebrate! To have a Christmas treat, party, or dress up in free dress. We are grateful, but next year we wish for more rest and love. This year we have felt COVID fatigue, loss, and exhaustion.
These two girls have worked really had academically and improving their emotional intelligence. Every couple of days there are Christmas Cards and candies attached, so the girls have a lot of fun. I love seeing the handwriting and artwork from their friends in the cards too. So yes, it has been a season to express gratitude and look for the small things in life to celebrate
 
Both Kaiya and Kirra had class Christmas Parities and they also got to have some water fun days with inflatable slides and sprinklers.  We are so grateful for a beautiful and safe season. I am particularly grateful that the girls got lots of fun and play leading up to Christmas.  It’s been an intense year of work for Michael and I so it has been great for the girls to enjoy the season while we wrapped up work in preparation for another big year.
 
The girls school environment can be busy and full of life, and we are grateful that magic is made there too. We had had so many celebrations throughout the year. The swimming carnival was an awesome finish and determined which school sports house won the trophy. Kaiya managed to get quite a few points for her team by bringing in some ribbons for swimming. This time of the season is also about getting to know the little creatures that infiltrate the classrooms and PCYC (before and after school care). Another Elf on the Shelf became a part of the family at school and they are seriously cheeky! We have also had times to pause. We won’t forget the 5 little butterflies that grew wings in Tasmania. Kaiya wrote a story about them both tragic, beautiful and sad.
 
Grief has not been far from our December story this year and Michael and I have been thinking of friends we have lost. This year hurt quite a lot. Some people we have friended and loved we will never get over. The sadness just sat with us this year. Big time. It changes your DNA, and leaves memories in your heart and mind. Missing loved ones was very prominent among the emotions of this Christmas and just like with Halloween this year I’m thinking up new ways to remember those not with us, and using the emotion and energy to start up new traditions. We think about who makes up part of our story and want to keep memories alive so the girls remember too.
 
As I am reflecting on this season and our stories it’s not surprising that it has been a hard one to write and get finished. But this year with tragedy and grief, and COVID fatigue the story is still worth writing and finishing. There is so much gratitude in our hearts and this home. There are no rainbows without rain. Thank-you 2021. Bring on the love 2022!