It's that TIME of year again--Merry Christmas, 2024.

 “God goes to those who have time to hear him – and so on this cloudless night he went to the simple shepherds.”  ~ Max Lucado                                                            

Why is it that the older we get the more we think about the concept of “time?”  Is it because our kids grow up, our bodies and minds slow down and we have more time in general? Is it because the older we get the more we realize the less time we have? I don’t remember ever thinking about “time” as a concept and certainly not about how I was spending it when I was a younger person. But here I am on this cold December afternoon thinking about the concept of time and where it all goes.

Here is how our family spent our time this year.

We spent some time with friends in Kirksville celebrating New Year’s Eve. (We miss you Katie!)

Adam spent some time in January in St Louis at the Catholic Seek conference.  While there he ran into his cousin Blake from Michigan. They wished they had more time to spend together.

In February we spent some fun time with friends at the Mary Immaculate fundraiser "Denim and Diamonds."

In March my sister Molly, and her husband Kevin and I spent some time traveling to Florida to see our parents. Before we left we killed some time in Springfield, IL.  While in Florida we spent time celebrating James' 55th birthday and Bob's 80th birthday.

I spent some meaningful and prayerful time attending a Catholic women's conference in the spring.

Also in the spring we spent time traveling to Iowa to celebrate my aunt's 80th birthday.

In May I spent time marching in yet another college graduation with my friends. (Honestly, will I EVER leave college?)

During the summer months we spent some time at the lake with friends.

We celebrated my birthday in June while out to dinner with more friends.

Adam and James spent some time fishing this summer.

In July we spent some time in Arkansas at my dad’s house. While there we spent time playing bags, tubing, and lots of time playing in the water. When it rained we took time to visit the historic bath houses in Hot Springs and discovered a historic "gangster" bar.

Alex spent some time traveling home to feed our baby calf.

James spent a lot of time this summer and fall learning how to be a new principal. The boys came home to help him get his office ready.  While there they spent time reliving their childhood memories at Mary Immaculate.

In October we spent some time visiting Adam at college and celebrating our anniversary at the lake with friends.

James spent some time hunting.

I spent some time celebrating my friend Amy's daughter at her bridal shower.

I spent time with my other friend Amy traveling to a conference and watching the eclipse.

Adam spent some time this year attending classes, hanging out with friends, weight lifting and learning the art of Jiu Jitsu.

Alex and girlfriend Kelsey spent time this year building their engineering careers in Detroit, traveling to see friends, attending many cultural and sporting events and getting used to a new cat.

We spent some time together in Illinois at Thanksgiving.  While there we spent time decorating cookies with my great niece and nephew.

 

As I said at the beginning, I've been thinking about the passage of time recently.  I've found myself spending time getting used to a new normal.  I used to be the person who traveled and spent time attending endless meetings and conferences. But I find that James and I have traded roles this year. James used to walk out of the door at school and be home by 3:30.  As principal he is never home much before five and usually turns right back around and has to attend evening meetings. (Parish Council, Finance Committee, Home and School, School Advisory Board, Bible study, Deanery meetings and meetings with the Bishop and diocesan staff in Jefferson City.) He is a busy guy.  Sometimes I get lonely but God's timing is always perfect.

When we were younger we wanted many children but my body had a different idea and we were lucky to conceive the two we have.  In this chapter of  my life I am reminded that God's timing is always perfect as I now have the time to bake for our  90+ new children and 13 staff members at Mary Immaculate Parish School.  I am beyond grateful for this blessing in this season of my life where I find myself with an empty house between raising kids and  maybe having grand kids to spoil someday. 

We want to wish all of our family and friends meaningful time together this Christmas.  We also want to thank those that chose to spend their time with us over the past year.  After all, our time is the most valuable commodity that we have. We should share it! Merry Christmas! 

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” ~Alexander Smith

James, Melissa (and now grown) Alex and Adam.