Aging with Grace

Christmas if doing a little something extra for someone.

Charles Schulz

I’ve been thinking about friends and Christmas. Maybe, Thanksgiving isn’t the only holiday to be thankful. Maybe, we should be thankful at Christmas, too. As I begin to think about preparations for my annual Christmas Tea it brings to mind how gratefulI I am to be blessed with good friends.

For many years now, I have hosted what has come to be known as Christmas Tea. Each year I invite the same three friends for a traditional high tea. Sherry, tea with lemon, sugar cubes and milk, three plates filled with tea sandwiches, scones and a variety of tiny desserts and, of course, raspberry jam with clotted cream. It’s become a Christmas tradition.

The friends who come for tea are very special to me because we have known each other for many years. We have celebrated together through good times and supported each other through bad times. Sometimes it seems we know each other better than we know ourselves. During years when we cannot all be together, we meet in spirit.

Some years are harder than others to get into the Christmas spirit. This year, as I decorate the house in preparation for the season, I have been especially thankful to have this gathering of friends to look forward to. I am so grateful to be graced with good friends to share this special time.