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Each year, I help my father-in-law with his Christmas card and letter. He has me take a picture of him (and of his cat) and we create a card online. He’s straightforward about what he likes, so the experience is quick and painless. He then gives me a summary of the year — projects he’s undertaken, trips he’s taken, milestones met — and I write a short letter to friends and family on his behalf.

Years ago, a few weeks before Christmas, our friend and neighbor Jessie King rose up in church and appealed for us to bring shoeboxes filled with combs and hair brushes and little toys for the severely handicapped children in the state hospital near Glen Ellen. She said many of these children are all but forgotten and never receive Christmas presents. She said she would like the gifts placed on the communion table so they could be blessed before she took them to the hospital.

Vacancy on Senior Citizen Advisory Commission

Some of my best conversations with my kids happen in the car. It seems the forced family commute provides free thought and most times, silly topics. The latest came from my 11 year old. She said, “Mom, I wish I could trade places with you, just like in the Freaky Friday movie.” And I said, “That would be awesome! In fact, I would love to trade places with all of you for a day.”

This time of year is always bittersweet for me. The days of having all the time to do all the things I want, when I want to do them, are coming to an end.