The strength of this brotherhood is something impossible to define with words. It is marked by intensity, loyalty, comradery and so much love. It is frosted with those little dark irritants of the pestering little brother, bossy older brother, obnoxious third brother and haphazard larks of the second born.
When I told the boys that Christmas was going to be lean (no gifts) if we chose to treat Wynn, there was no hesitation. The brothers enthusiastically agreed that the best gift would be life for Wynn, and they knew that our odds were not great even if we did treat her. They had the merriest hearts on Christmas day and this was truly one of the most precious and beautiful Christmas days we have ever celebrated. It was marked by simplicity and our little ficus tree in the indoor garden was as perfect as always. The boys surprised me with Christmas lights on the barn and along the inside 3/4 wall in our itty bitty house. I surprised them with homemade cider and their favorite cookies. Kris surprised me with two beautiful homemade candles and the fixings to make more when I use these two up. And, grandparents, friends and extended family ensured that we did not go without gifts entirely. ;-)
We decided to join our friends Julie and Lucy in creating our own little Christmas special: a fairy house in the woods. :-) It's tucked away where few will find it, but we will know it's there and who knows what little fairies might be up to when we are not looking.
Declan and I have been taking our horses for walks back in the woods behind our house and it has been a delightful way to share time with him. He is completely in love with Murdock, his little magic horse sent to us from heaven. He now has a harness for him and has purchased a cart which he will be modifying to use for future adventures with his equine.
I continue to find sustenance and strength in the wild places where I wander. I don't know what 2025 will hold for us; it would be false to say I anticipate it. Life is hard and we live in a broken world. I see suffering all around me. However, I know I will be surprised by joy, overwhelmed by beauty, filled with wonder because life - the living of life - is just that incredible.
Goodnight 2024