Have you ever heard of writer’s block? It’s real. I’m telling you this as I sit in front of my computer wracking my brain for inspirational words. Even merely witty would be good enough right now. I could expound on my Thanksgiving holiday, but really, why would you care? I have to admit it was unique only because it was the first time ever that I’ve hosted it in my own home. It was the first time in sixteen years that we’ve had both our children with us. But I doubt that’s of much interest to other people.
I could tell you about the beef Wellington we had for Thanksgiving dinner. My son, Christopher, isn’t the kind of guy you’d expect to see slathering a hunk of beef with Dijon and chopped mushrooms then wrapping it in prosciutto and puff pastry. He’s got tattoos running down one arm, more hair than any one man has a right to, and the pensive look of a screen writer (because that’s what he is.) It’s his one culinary accomplishment, and he 
does it well. For the first time in my life, I played sous chef to his Gordon Ramsey. And it was fun.
I could regale you with stories of Nikki, my daughter, who turned 35 on Thanksgiving. After nearly dying in a horrific car accident just after her 18th birthday, she’s a walking miracle. Even with traumatic brain injury, she got married and finished her college degree while holding down a job. Now she’s earning her Master’s in Library and Information Science while working part-time at a governmental library. Sounds a little snooty, doesn’t it? Well, Nikki is anything but. She’s a delightful, Jesus-loving young woman who has a great laugh, loves her animals, and (to my dismay) has no desire to have children.
Maybe you’d be interested to know that I have all my Christmas decorations up. Then again, maybe not. Truth is, I usually don’t get to it this early in the season, but I needed the reminder that no matter what craziness goes on in this world, the Christmas season is a wonderful reminder of the joy we have in Jesus. It was actually Christopher who inspired us to unpack the decorations early. I thought it was so he could help, but I don’t think he lifted even one ornament. Still, it’s nice to have the tree twinkling in the corner, with garland and lights strung about. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…you get the picture.
Maybe I should remind you that my Christmas novella All That Glitters is now out, but you’ve probably already heard the news. It was on a blog tour with my amazing publisher, Celebrate Lit, and did well. The whole thing took a back seat, to tell the truth. It’s been a strange couple months with the passing of my mother-in-law. Grief seems to sneak up every once and a while and take me by surprise. Not that I hadn’t expected to miss Mom—she was quite a character—but she was looking forward to dying so much, she was a little peeved God didn’t see fit to take her sooner.
So here you have it—the ramblings of a writer with nothing to write. A free-flow exercise, if you will. If you’ve made it to the end of this blog post without giving up on me, I appreciate you being an attentive audience. I’m really hoping by next week, I’ll be sufficiently inspired to write something more compelling. Until then, I pray your week is blessed with the joy of the season and you’re inspired to spread it around a little.
Comments 2
Rambling…Maybe. But since I am your loving sister, I care. It sounds like a lovely Thanksgiving. Thank you. Sometimes it seems you are writing to me.
Loved the update. Thanks Jen!