After a lovely breakfast, wonderful gift giving, and a rush to clean up, we went on the road to Tehachapi, to my brother's house. We went through rain and gusty winds (and cramped quarters in the back seat), but we got there just fine.

Little Maya called me Christmas. So cute! Her sister Zoey wouldn't have anything to do with me. The other two girls were great - that part of the family arrived about an hour after we did.

We hadn't been there more than half an hour before it started to rain. And then I saw snow. Snow. SNOW! Even Dad went out and stood in it for awhile.

What a wonderful experience! It was soft at first, then the wind picked up again. And for awhile it didn't stick - but then it did. But not on the road - until it did. And the world turned white while we ate, and the hubby paced and urged us to eat fast.

The presents were a scramble, and before we knew it we were bundled back into our coats and were on the road before it got dark while the snow still fell. The lawn, prior to the snow, was rubbly and stubbly with some green. When we left, there were at least a couple inches on the ground.

But for awhile, before dinner and the rush to leave, I stood outside and the snow landed on my cheeks, the world was still and peaceful, and I drank it in - drank in the peace and the beauty. Drank in the power of the wind, the power of possibility. The season is still dark - but the light is returning.

Now it's night - the sky is clear, it's cold outside. The fire is crackling away, and it's almost time for sleep. Retail is a harsh mistress and I'm at work by 6am tomorrow.

May your epiphanies be sweet and your loved ones close.