The Best Christmas Gifts I Received this Year

31. Celebrating the New Year at my sister's new apartment. my sister's hospitality is always so humbling.

32. Playing games with the family on New Year's day. IQ is not a playable Scrabble word. On the other hand, Qi is a plable word.

33. Eating sushi. I'm always thankful for this.

34. Honestly expressed intentions. Not having to guess ho others are feeling.

35. A wedding engagement!!! Two people certain of their love, ready to commit their lives to one another.

36. Rockin' and dancing to my iPod. Sharing earphone with mom while trying to move about the living room. We didn't get too far.

37. First ski of the season. When the fog finally lifted, the view from the top of the mountain (and bottom) was as gorgeous as always.

38. Skiing in 50 degree weather. If you're a skier, you know how great this is.

39. Midnight Mass. Singing Christmas Carols in the church I grew up in.

40. Being challenged by the priest's Homily; "Sometimes, like Mary, we are called to follow a star although we would rather stay where it's safe. Like the wise men, we have to trust that the star we are following will not lead us astray.

41. Chris Tomlin's "Everlasting God" being sung by the Youth Choir to remind us of the true mean of Christmas.

42. Spending Christmas with Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins and friends. Realizing that my cousins have grown up and have their own personalities.

43. Giving and Receiving smiles at work. Thankful the job that I have-a job where I can talk and laugh with many people of many different nationalities.

44. Re-reading the Creation story. "God looked around Him and knew it was good." Every animal. Every tree. Every river. Man. Woman. He created them all to reflect His beauty.