A very different Christmas

This has been a very different Christmas for us. We are in NYC in someone else's apartment on the east side of New York City. We are in our second week here and it is Christmas Day. I brought all my recipes to make my usual Christmas fare but Tommy and John boy decided that we would just eat at a New York diner instead, so we are.
For the two weeks that we have been up here, one of my main prayers is for the Lord to send anyone to us that He wants to, who may need us. So far I have no exciting stories, but we have 3 more days here so anything is possible.

It has been a week of mostly walking. I would guess that we have put in anywhere from 6 to 8 miles a day. That's easily done up here. The one good thing about being on the east side is that the bus stops right in front of our apartment. We have never had that before.

In all the walking, for me, there has been a lot of reflecting. Reflecting on my life... what it has been and what I want it to be in the few years I have left on this planet. I know my days are numbered and often, while walking up here, I have thanked the Lord that he is giving me the strength TO walk. At 79 years old, I don't see a lot of people my age doing that.

Also in my reflections I have wondered if I ever really reflect on the great sacrifice that Jesus made for me all those years ago at this time when we celebrate His coming into the world. I appreciate what He did and thank Him, but deep down I wonder if I really "get" it.

I think one thing this trip has done for me is make me realize that home is wherever Tommy, John boy and I are. I really wish Jason and his family could have been with us too, but I am grateful for what I do have, I didn't decorate for Christmas this year...well maybe a tiny bit. And, I didn't fix Christmas dinner. If I were in jail right now, or in a 3rd world country, that wouldn't be possible, so I am realizing that that isn't what makes Christmas. Of course I love the memories of times past when I did do all of that, but it isn't what makes this season special.

Another thing I have noticed on this trip is how much I hear songs about the birth of our Lord. Songs that praise and glorify Him. It's funny too, how people are starting to say Happy Holiday instead of Merry Christmas. I guess they don't realize that holiday is "holy day." Look it up in the dictionary! I'm not going to tell them that though!
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I really don't know where I am going with this, but Jason (younger son) wanted me to do a blog. I got up this morning and decided on this Christmas day, 2019, I would start. If I keep it up, it will be interesting to see what 2020 brings. I pray it brings joy, happiness, peace, contentment but most of all Jesus to all of you. Merry Christmas! Pat, Prisha, Trixie, Pitty Pat, sweet p, sweet thang. (only a few of my nick names.) ​