It's a Snow Day! I'm giddy as a child over this unexpected gift of TIME from the Universe. Here in the North Carolina mountains I've learned that when school is canceled, everything else is too. Then, by around noon, the sun has come out, the snow has melted and the entire population goes to Walmart since they never close.
So I have an unexpected morning off - one where I can't head for the office to squeeze in some paperwork or dash to the store to cross off a few more presents from a list. This year, even the Universe is cooperating with MY special idea - 12 days of gifts from my Soul to those I love.
And with this gift of TIME I've received, I can give the rare gift of a few hours of my undivided Attention to each of the members of my family.
Since our daughter won't 
be up for hours, I can start by treating my husband to a cup of coffee in front of a cozy fire. I'm even going to bring in some firewood, so he doesn't have to do a thing.
We'll turn on Kenny G's Christmas album and I'll ask him a question "What's the BEST thing that happened to you this year?" Then I'll listen - without saying "No, that can't be it! Don't you remember..." I'll find out what HE thinks is meaningful.
Then I'll ask "What was the best Christmas present you ever got when you were a kid?"
Today I'll take the time to get to know this man I love just a little bit better.
Then I'll drag our daughter out of bed with the promise of homemade waffles for breakfast instead of her usual Monday morning meal - a bagel smeared with cream cheese handed to her as she rushes out the door.
I think I have some blueberries in the freezer...maybe we can top our waffles with blueberry syrup made from scratch, something I've never done.
We won't even turn to the Internet. Instead I'll introduce my daughter to an ancient artifact from her grandma's day, known as a cookbook. I've learned that the way to touch this child's heart is through her stomach.
We'll cook together and I'll ask her the same two questions. Chances are, her answers won't be what I expect. Last week when I asked her if she enjoyed having her older brother here for Thanksgiving with his wife and our new granddaughter, she said it was great because I was so busy with them I didn't have time to get on her back about anything! Didn't see that one coming...
Later we can all take a little nap, have a snack and then an unexpected late dinner with our son who is heading home from college today. It will probably be around 10 PM when he gets in and I'll surprise him with his favorite baked ziti and hot garlic bread.
Instead of coming home late to the usual plate of leftovers warmed in the microwave, we'll set the table and share a midnight supper together as a family. He can tell us all about his first semester at college, his wild roommate, his crazy professors and his first experience of pulling an all-nighter cramming for finals.
The gift of Attention - Priceless
This Year I'm Giving Gifts From My Soul For The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 1: Laughter
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