If you’ve followed my site for long, you know that I decorate seasonal cookies far ahead of schedule…..just to be on top of blog posts, tutorials, classes, etc. So this final set of Christmas cookies for 2018 was created back in September.

August and September of 2018 have been a crazy time for me. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and found myself with a new “full time job” of fighting cancer. I barely had any time to decorate cookies. But I was determined to do as many sets as I could despite the lack of time and energy.

The day after I finished these cookies, I had my surgery (mastectomy). I remember putting the final touches on these cookies and pushing myself to get them done because I wasn’t sure when I would get back to decorating.

These are definitely not my best work….and the photos were hurried and forced. But they are part of my journey. I guess it is interesting to chronicle your life by cookies. ;)

Christmas holds such a special place in my heart. And I’m glad I got to dwell on all it means while I contemplated one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. These little bites of joy brought delight and distraction to my heart as I dreaded the upcoming procedure. And it makes my heart happy that I was able to do something I love despite the circumstances. ❤️

May our Christmas season be especially blessed as we contemplate what life really means and cherish every moment we are given.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!