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Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

Thanksgiving is officially behind us, and I can hardly believe we’re in the final stretch of the year. It’s like we blinked and suddenly December is knocking at the door. At our house, the holidays don’t just roll in — they sprint. With my husband and youngest having December birthdays, there’s no such thing as winding down. We go straight from turkey leftovers to baking cakes and birthday candles.

There’s something magical about this time of year. It’s not just the twinkling lights or the smell of fresh-baked cookies (although those help). It’s the feeling of everyone slowing down just a little — gathering around the table, sharing stories, laughing at the same old jokes. Thanksgiving was one of those moments this year. As I sat there watching my three kids interact, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Now, I’m not going to pretend they’re angels all the time. They bicker. They roll their eyes. But during the pie portion of Thanksgiving dinner, it was as if time stood still. I, not so sneakily, pulled out my phone to capture a few photos because I wanted to remember that moment forever. The way they were teasing one another and laughing. They genuinely like each other and you could tell.

For a moment, I just sat back and soaked it all in. These are the golden moments, the ones I’ll replay in my mind years from now when the house is quieter than I’d like.

Adding to the festive mood, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” finally made its glorious return to the radio. I know it’s become a bit of a cliché, but I’m not ashamed to admit how much I love that song. The moment I hear those opening chimes, it’s like a little burst of joy. She’s officially thawed out for the season, and I, for one, am glad to have her back. That song feels like a hug from the holidays, and I’ll belt it out every chance I get.

Now that the turkey is a memory and the countdown to the new year is ticking away, I’ve been thinking a lot about fresh starts. January always gets the credit for being the month of renewal. New year, new me, and all that jazz. But why wait?

I’m a big believer in starting where you are, with what you have. If there’s something you’ve been meaning to do — clean out that closet, start journaling, call an old friend — there’s no need to wait for a specific date on the calendar. The truth is, every day can be a fresh start if you let it.

So while I’ll still indulge in the December chaos — birthday parties, holiday movies and endless gift wrapping — OK pause. I put everything in gift bags. If you’ve ever received a present from our home and it was wrapped with paper and tape, I can guarantee my husband did it. Unpause — I’m also carving out little pockets of time to reflect, to reset and to soak up moments with the people who matter most.

Because as much as I love the promise of a fresh start, I’ve come to realize that the magic of the holidays is in appreciating what’s right here, right now. And there’s no better time to start than today.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams. Her column appears every Saturday.