When my sister was eight, half my age, she would climb into a huge oak tree at the edge of our property and read.   It was a place of comfort to her.   Now, ever since she has had a home, that home has been a place of comfort to me.

I have gone to my sister's home during every crossroad of my life as well as for at least a dozen Thanksgivings and scores of special occasions and ordinary visits.  Some of the crossroads were at joyous times, some at devastating moments.  Her home has always been my sanctuary, much as that tree house was for her so long ago and far away.

Every one of us needs a tree house.  Somewhere we go when we need to feel safe and loved and treasured by someone.  And, we each have the opportunity to provide that sanctuary for others.

At this hurried time of the year we need to offer the spirit of sanctuary as our primary gift and let it envelop us as we give and receive.  There is no better way to celebrate.

May we find joy in the company of those we love and who love us at this special time of the year.  Let us savor every moment of our holidays and then go joyfully into our new year.

Jean Loxley-Barnard has been a writer all her life and studied both sociology and psychology at George Washington University where she earned a B.A. Her company, The Shopper, Inc., encompasses all the Loxley-Barnard family publications - The Shopper Magazines and Doctor to Doctor Magazine. She has been in the advertising, consulting and publishing business for 39 years.