I have an informal Christmas tradition.

It started seven years ago. I was not supposed to have my son for Christmas Eve that year but plans changed abruptly and suddenly I did.

Best gift I could get - but there went the time I had planned to spend prepping and wrapping.

1/

So, I spent the Eve with my son until he was fast asleep. And then I pulled an all-nighter wrapping gifts, doing a stocking, etc.

I finished just before 6 am and laid down next to him literally minutes before he opened his eyes with all the excitement of 6-YO on Christmas.

2/

Before I laid down though, the last thing I did was walk out to the street and just soak in the quiet of my house, dark but for the Christmas tree through the window.

I had pulled it off. Maybe my most memorable Christmas ever.

3/

That last bit has become an informal tradition.

No matter how late it is, the last thing I do Christmas Eve is walk outside to just breathe deep and take it in.

It is a moment of perfection. The world, quiet and still. My son, asleep in the earliest hours of Christmas.

4/

Take time to drink it in.

Just you. Step back from the motion and noise and just breathe deep.

No matter how easy or hard a year it has been, in that moment, mindful of what we have, there is always some peace.

Breathe it in.

5/5