Something special lingering in the air

The sun has almost set here in our nestled town. Although the holiday festivities have ended, our colored fairy lights continue to glow from under the beautiful, glistening snow. In a way, it still feels like Christmas at our home. In our living room, you'll find paper chains and bunting dangling up above while our table-top Christmas tree glows next to the sofa. Something special always seems to linger in the air for awhile during this time of year.

Every holiday season, my heart swells up with various emotions. Christmas doesn't reside there just because I thoroughly love it. It also exists because that special feeling gently reminds me of the blessing of where I am today. Coming from a tragic childhood, it sometimes seems all too surreal to be sitting in the comfort of a lovely home with an amazing husband and wonderful children by my side.

This time of year seems fitting to reflect back upon life and take note of every blessing we've been given. Too often, we find ourselves stumbling down a path of wanting more when so many around us have less...and need more. This year, my heart not only ruminated about all the events of 2015 and how blessed I am but it also brought to mind a bit of sadness. Such as really missing my father this particular Christmastime; my younger brother once again on the streets and homeless in San Jose; our sweet neighbor and her daughters going through a challenging time in their lives, my step-daughter hoping to have a precious baby, and so forth.

As the year comes to a close, let us remember, life is too short to take for granted those we love and what we've been given. My hope for the new year is to be a bigger blessing to those around me, near and far, through my art and blogging.

With that lingering feeling in the air, challenging us to look at our lives and how to do better, may I ask each of you one thing? How do you hope to touch the world next year?