Sunday Still Life is an evolving mindfulness project; a weekly invitation to pause the busy of our days, to re-center and celebrate the beauty and depth of life. If you are inspired to join in, please leave a link in Erin’s comments.

Shortly after I met Lovey we started spending our holidays together. When his family became mine our traditions merged. Each holiday in the year that passed brought with it sweet little packages. It didn’t matter what was in the package- the treat was in the unwrapping. I would study the skill and love that came through the folds of colorful paper held together by lengths of ribbon. Lovey’s mother and her sisters’ packages were held together by a series of folds and ribbon. No tape. No glue and few gift bags. I know I romanticize how it happens, but each time one of these packages turns up, be it small enough to nestle in the Christmas tree or hold its own down under, I hold a picture in my mind of the sisters sitting with their cups of tea and stacks of wrapping papers from previous years. Each piece carefully cut free of tears that came from delighted hands pulling it hurriedly open, and carefully folded and stored for the next years gifting. I love these packages in and of themselves. They are our celebration.