Just a few thoughts as I sit and look at our  new Christmas Tree here in our new apartment.

Spent the better part of the day sorting Christmas things and parting with some to pass on to those who need them much more than I do, passing one favorite one on to my granddaughter and using the rest to decorate our new home.

It is a new season of life, for sure.

Drove past our old home on the way to Thanksgiving at our son and daughter-in-laws home (which was lovely).

Last year we hosted it in our old home along with Shell's mom and dad (who is no longer with us).

We acknowledged the changes a year makes.

Missing loved ones.

Shifting gathering places.

Noting the happenings in this world.

Just lots of stuff that is so different.

You all know what that feels like.

We have experienced it many times.

It is what life and love look like.

Things change.

It can be easy to think that life is SO different than it was years ago...

....but, it is imperative to NOT think that EVERYTHING is different.

As we age, we can fall into that trap.

I don't want to do that because MUCH remains the same.

It was brought home to me when I took my grandsons to see THE PEANUTS MOVIE.

The place was packed with ALL ages.

A little boy of about 3 was laughing so hard his dad kept (unnecessarily but understandably) hushing him...

...but  ALL of us laughed...

...and, at the end, we clapped.

Yep...a bunch of strangers applauded Snoopy and Charlie Brown and all their cohorts.

Because what they represent is worth applauding.

Simplicity.  Friendship.  Humor.  Humility.  Imagination.

INTEGRITY!

Charlie Brown has integrity.

People still applaud integrity.

No change there.

See, everything hasn't changed.

LOTS has but LOTS hasn't.

This apartment is our home and this new tree is just as pretty as the other one...and we can celebrate holidays in new places...and our loved ones live on in how we love...

...and, hopefully, someday that little 3 year old will try to hush his son at a movie that celebrates....

...simplicity, friendship, humor, humility, imagination, INTEGRITY.

Because I believe some things do remain.

Believe with  me.

Please.