Last Saturday was Christmas in Middleburg, and it turned out to be one for the record books. Snow graced our little village all day, turning the already gorgeous town into a postcard-perfect scene.

For this small scruffy dog, it was a veritable blizzard during which I kicked up my paws, ran in circles and caught snowflakes on my tongue. It was a magical day.

The whole experience made me remember how lucky I am to live in this animal-crazy, beautiful place that is so unlike any other in the country. It made me proud of my home and happy to be here.

Dogs can seem to be very simple creatures. We delight in a snowflake. We love unconditionally. We adore warming by a fire. We are masters at snuggling in our beds. We appreciate our food. In sum, we know how to find happiness in the things that truly matter.

It occurs to me that Middleburg can seem simple too. It's a place that refuses to move too fast, that upholds tradition, that honors the beauty in nature and that embraces friends and family. In short, it's a place for remembering what truly matters.

Last Saturday, watching the festivities amidst a blanket of white, it felt like the troubles of the world were far in the past. It felt like the joy of the people and the joy of the animals were one and the same. It felt like we were all in this together and that everything would be just fine.

At the end of a year that has not been fine in many ways, I would like to say Merry Christmas, Middleburg, and thank you. Thank you for making the simple life a thing of absolute beauty. Thank you for making it easier to stay grounded in a time that surely is not. Thank you for the possibility of peace and quiet in a chaotic world.