... the weatherman gave to me ... snow!

One day from Epiphany, snow falling all day and lucky me, with the Christmas tree still shining, carols on the stereo, hot coffee and time to read Christmas cards from friends all over the world. Let it snow!

Today I also put new pages for 2009 in my daily planner. I leafed through each month, filling in the appointments already scheduled for this month, and birthdays of family and friends throughout the year.

Two thousand nine will be eventful. My daughter will be 16. My youngest son turns 13 one day after his brother turns 19 -- 364 wonderful days of three teenagers. The oldest graduates from high school in June, the same month that we will move to another assignment in Germany.

I looked at the blank monthly pages, thinking how scribbled over they will be in just a few weeks, with orthodontist appointments, track meets, baseball games, dance recitals, spring travel plans, a Sweet 16 party, graduation celebrations, then packing and moving dates. Never a dull moment!

For now, I'm going to enjoy the clean empty whiteness in my calendar, like the snow coming down to cover the ground today.