Keeping Christmas.

One of my mother's favorite books of all time is A Christmas Carol, and it's become one of mine as well. I can't even watch the Muppets version without getting teary as Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning with a new song on his lips proclaiming that he will honor Chirstmas in his heart and keep it all the year. His joyous transformation and newfound boundless energy are contagious.

But as we pack up our ornaments, stockings, wreaths, and bows, how does one keep Christmas all the year? Christmas just isn't on your mind in April. Certainly I believe Dickens would tell us that Christmas is not in the material possessions or decorations, nor is it in the calendar, but it is, as Scrooge said, in one's heart.

I don't know about you, but I need a reminder to keep in my heart all year long.

So, this year, 2011, we are going to keep our Christmas cards up all year long. How much fun is it to look at your family and friends anyway? A collage of holiday greetings certainly warms the soul, and let's face it, I don't really know what I am going to do with my entry anyways. I'll let you guys know how this goes, but I'm pretty excited about seeing my family and friends each day with big smiles on their faces.

God bless us, every one.