An Eighth Shot of Espresso: Coffee and Creativity on Mum's Third Shift

No matter where we roam when the Christmas decorations are put away again and the presents are all unwrapped The food all savored the hymns are all sung the church bells all rung the small talk all spoken. Family obligations all done for the year There is something to be said for the sight of your own driveway and your own place even as the rain falls and the sky is grey overhead: For so ever it be humble there's no place like home.

Staying serene in a chaotic season is always a challenge. Always remember where you are at this place in this moment. Focus on what must be done at the present Don't fret about the past or obsess about the future. There are still the same number of hours in the day. House to be cleaned plates in the sink presents to be wrapped. But also meals to be eaten songs to be sung breaths to be breathed bliss to be shared. Always remember what life really means it has to be lived not just spent on the practical things that do not satisfy the soul.

The holidays have started Christmas music loud and clear all the parking spaces filled relatives near and dear. Some of us are filled with hope that this spirit fills us with joy as we wrap up all the presents all the teddy bears and toys. But some of us look on with dread the ghosts of past and present weigh so much and memory of bad times heavy mixed with darkness and some such. The old year's end, the new one's nigh the day begins to grow dark although we try to start again the past still leaves its mark.