My twins are back in Europe. For the fourth autumn, they have boarded planes headed over the Atlantic toward their ambitions. This last goodbye seemed especially tart, like unripe fruit that I paid good money for, expecting dessert. Yet they have both chosen to come home in December. This is the first time for Hope, and only the second for Aurelle to spend Christmas with us since college began. 

I am delighted. Last winter was particularly bleak, with no one joining our celebration and John being sick for two weeks. Even my meek attempt to jolly up our social life with a party was shelved. We barely saw our granddaughter, since their family was beaten down with illness too. 

I can conjure up the level of gratitude that I felt when the girls were home in 2019, and frankly it was unremarkable. The string of seventeen straight Advents rendered their presence expected, as opposed to a gift. Sustaining thankfulness for something with that kind of track record is often out of reach. 

But having missed their presence, my joy is greater than it ever was. And they haven't even left for the airport yet. 

A friend mentioned that they had taken their car in for repairs, and been told that the cost exceeded the value of the vehicle. They were discouraged with the prospect of either juggling with one car, or buying a new one. Then they got a second opinion. This mechanic said many of the repairs were not necessary, and did the one essential fix. She celebrated having two working cars again, in a way that she did not two weeks ago. 

My back feels fine. Which is usually the case, but on a few notable occasions it has caused me pain. Bringing up indebtedness for that small miracle is there for the asking if I only remember to.

The dishwasher works, as does the dryer. This is often true, and yet it is within my power to notice such bounty, and to smile with my good fortune. 

God's intentions for each of us is unmitigated generosity. Except when that stream becomes stale. Then it behooves Him to mitigate a bit. If only to reignite our sense of jubilee.