Years ago my mother kept a handwritten note on her refrigerator that read, “Help me be present to the present in this present moment.”  My wish for you and for myself, in this busy time of preparations for the holidays, is that we can find a few moments to be mindful, to see the presents in the present moment, to slow down and savor the little, memorable moments that bring us happiness and joy…

The flood of light into our home, now that the leaves are off the trees.

The wriggling joy of our daughters’ dogs as they chase each other around our (newly fenced-in) yard.

My grand-daughter’s face as she points out all the rainbows in the sunroom (refracted light from prisms hung in our windows).

Mindfulness brings other gifts as well. For it is only in this moment, in the here and now, that we can embrace family and friends, tell them we love them, share our stories. It is only in this present moment, not in the future or the past, that a loving God waits to connect with us.

So may we all, somewhere between buying stocking stuffers, wrapping presents, and hunting for Grandma’s recipe for Russian tea cakes, give ourselves a moment. One moment to, as my mother wrote so many years ago, “be present to the present in this present moment.”

Happy Holidays to you all.

Luann Tennant Coyne