I'm tired... Full. Satisfied. The whoosh and hum of the frantic holiday noises has died down to a dull whisper. It's over... but in other ways- it has just begun.

I celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas... or Yule. The Twelve Days of Light. Long ago, our ancestors delegated little celebrations and reminders to each day and made joy as best as they could in the cold, dark bleakness of the winter. They rose and saluted the sun, made thanks for all they had been given and embraced each other. It was... beautiful.

Now, life is hectic. There is so much to do- to be... I find myself caught in the whirl and current of this all- and I find myself fighting against it. I have tried- each of these days- to remember the celebration within. Even if it was a simple moment of glancing up at the stars and feeling so loved... That was all that I needed. And I was given it.

Christmas was beautiful. Actually... it was the best Christmas I can ever remember. And that's something. I was just... so grateful for all I had been given.

But it's not over. This Festival of Light continues- and shall... right until Twelfth Night. And how do I celebrate it?

Little moments. Being thankful. Paying it forward. Smiling. Dreaming. Loving. Laughing.

Strike one match in the dark- all the world's not the same.

I have the most beautiful girlfriend that the Divine could ever possibly create. She is wondrous. She has magic within and without of her... she is truly perfect. And this was our first- real- Christmas together. Good heavens... I'm so grateful.

I have the best little sister that I could ever have been given. She's thoughtful and sweet- too kind... too good. She cares too much for others- and she thinks too much about us- for us. I can't believe I've been that blessed to have her.

My family is fantastic- my extended family is wonderful... Jenn's family has accepted me as their own.

I look around me... at everything that has happened. I look ahead to the coming year.

I want for nothing. I am full. I am satisfied. I am loved. I am comforted. I am embraced by everything beautiful and whole...

I am home.