My "Christmas" cards for this year have turned into New Year's cards. My main excuse is that I didn't have a halfway decent current family picture until Christmas Eve, but really I wasn't in the mood.

Sitting down in the quiet after Christmas (well semi-quiet--this is a household of six!) I enjoyed taking the time put together a short summary of our lives over the past year. I also enjoyed the fact that in hindsight, all of the things that I've struggled with don't look so horrid.

I'm looking forward to taking the time to write personal notes to old friends, instead of feeling the time crunch of getting my greetings out "in time" for Christmas. With this mindset, I can rejoice in the abundance of friendships that God has given us over the years...the "burden" of the annual holiday letter has turned into a blessing.

"New Year's" letters may become a habit around our house! Maybe my lifetime war against procrastination has lost some of it's noble glow.

Maybe not...but it's another step in extending grace to myself.

Happy New Year.