Yesterday the preacher talked about finding little moments of peace in the holiday season when American lives have the screws tightened on them by throwing parties and gift buying and Christmas card lists and travel and extra house guests into normally hectic lives. So, maybe I was subconsciously planning this morning’s moment all along, but it was all cool quiet excitement nevertheless.

Anyway, after waking up and realizing it was Monday and no work and no kids were awake yet and having some time to ourselves, Jodi and I finally drug ourselves out of the warm down covers and she took a shower while I went to feed the dogs.

Now, our three dogs sleep in their beds in the garage, and before I let the dogs out, I usually open the door in the kitchen that leads to the back deck and yard. Otherwise, the dogs rush into the kitchen, slam into the backdoor, and then the two older dogs (both 13 years old and often incontinent) rush around the kitchen and dribble all over the place before I can get the door open. Then the younger dog comes along behind them and makes sure it’s HIS territory by pissing on top of the piss. So, I open the back door before I let the dogs out, so they have a straight shot to the back yard for their morning relief.

But today, it was Christmas Eve, and about 6:30 when I opened the door, I was greeted by a full moonset in the west. The moon was bright white and huge like it had been photoshopped, but I knew it was an illusion because it was close to the leafless, lacelike branchwork of tree limbs on the horizon and almost sitting on the frosty rooftops.

And did I say it was bright?

And quiet?

There was a low, almost imperceptible hum, from early traffic on the main road about a quarter mile away. There was a dog barking in the neighborhood. There were a few birds chirping. Not a cloud in the sky, not a breeze. And that was it. It was THAT quiet.

So, I did get my quiet moment, but don’t worry…I didn’t keep it to myself for too long, and I did let the dogs out so they didn’t burst a bladder. And the two old dogs pooped and pissed and the the young dog did his business, then ran around the frosty (it was 24-degrees, but my robe was warm…) yard, sniffing the trails left by rabbits overnight; I’ve seen the long-eared hoppers sneak under the back gate door to the wooden fence, so I know they’re regular nocturnal visiters.

Everybody’s up now, and we’re off to grab a bunch of coffee at the local coffee shop to take over to relatives…perfect Christmas Eve underway. I hope everybody else is discovering some perfect moments too…

Peace Christmas, Merry Holidays, and Happy Joy! :-)

Read More: Christmas Eve

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