Are you busy?

I used to take pride in being busy. In fact, most years I'd start my Christmas letters with "This has been another busy year" - as if that was a great thing, something to be proud of.

Lately, I've noticed that I like being - well, "not busy". I don't think that's the same as being lazy, actually far from. I still like to be active, and to do something with my time. But I guess what I'm doing is changing.

There's nothing better than having an hour or two at home with absolutely nothing planned. Because that's when I get to spend time with my family, doing everyday, "non-important" things - the things that are the most important of all. Things like rolling around on the floor with Natalie, both of us being silly and laughing. Or going for a walk in the snow and discovering how cold the snow feels on your fingers, and how it tastes. Or emptying the dishwasher, with Natalie being sooo proud because she get's to carry her own plates over to the cabinet where they belong.

These are the things that you don't usually put in a Christmas letter. You probably don't even put them on your calendar. But these are the things you never want to be too busy for. These are the things you get to do when you are "not busy".