Wild Eggs . . .at 7 a.m.

Good Morning, One and All!

Oh, have you already been up for a while? Me too, actually. My alarm went off at 5:45 a.m., compelling me out of bed and into the mini-van with other sleepy family members to meet my father-in-law for breakfast at 7 a.m. after he finished his night shift at UPS. (NOT the company to work at during Christmas time. Oy vey!). The pitch black eeriness of the Kentucky pre-dawn morning belied the fact that we were headed for a gourmet breakfast at Wild Eggs. Cruising toward the heart of Louisville, KY, however, I began to envision something other than the insides of my eyelids – namely, a delicious meal with the family that I so rarely get to see.

Exhaustion was palatable as we pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot, but a pot of fresh, STRONG coffee soon began to remedy that problem. The individual mini-pitchers of cream the waiter so generously brought each one of us brought a smile to my face. I used my entire allotment before the meal was through, musing about how I usually ARRIVE at work at 6:30 a.m. during my “real” life. Christmas holiday does spoil a girl! 🙂 Breakfast did not disappoint. My Veggie Benny and David’s Apple Bourbon Crepes were both delicious and tastefully presented – I sampled both dishes to make sure!

As I ramble about crepes and early mornings, I realize how good it is to just ramble sometimes. Not just in writing, but in life. It has been a long time since I have had so little on my plate to accomplish. Sure, I waited until yesterday to do most of my Christmas shopping. Yes, I would bet my to-do list could stretch on and on. However, I left the list in Denver – on purpose. Why? My A-type personality needs to rest, to “Selah,” to sit by the fireplace and read a nonsensical book. I’m well on my way to accomplishing these goals, having sampled countless numbers of Christmas goodies (sea salt and chocolate covered almonds are competing with cookie peanut butter from Trader Joe’s for first place) and done precious little to work off the extra calories. It’s been a while since my jogging shoes have felt the gravel of a 10-minute mile pace.

It feels so good. So good to drink hazelnut coffee for enjoyment rather than for a required energy boost. So good to laugh with my in-laws, drawing attention to our table from our fellow 7 a.m. breakfast diners. So good to stay up late reading. So good to not worry about so much. Not accomplish so much. Not push myself so hard.

It’s the definition of holiday, and I’m terrible at allowing myself the luxury of everything that word connotes. Maybe you are too. Maybe your planner never stays far from your side and your mind whirls around with the countless number of plans and provisions you are responsible for. I understand. I’ve been there. I set up camp there most of the time. “Organized,” “responsible,” and “over-zealous planner” could have been my middle names. I make an art out of stress management simply because “stress” and I seem to be inseparable buddies.

This Christmas I’m eating samples of chocolate peppermint bark, gingerbread coffee, and cookie butter spread with a heart trying to hope again, to believe that this next year will be a year of goodness, a year that dreams come true. I told David that I wanted a baby for Christmas. He responded with a good-natured: “I don’t think I have time to order that.” My natural response: “Can I at least have a gift receipt to know that the package is on its way?” Not likely. But, it’s okay. Shopping, reading, answering email, perusing Facebook, spending time with my Savior, eating, eating some more . . . these activities are keeping me busy and mostly content. The “worry” part of my mind is shut off for the time being. It is good.

Please drop me a Reply line and let me know what fills your Christmas season, what ranks top on  your prayer list, what miracles you desire for Christmas. May we join together in sipping strong coffee, nibbling on one-too-many Christmas cookies, and lifting each other up to our Heavenly Father who knows what we need before we even ask.

Merry Christmas!