Christmas Day

Well, it's 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. The gifts are home and put away, the yummy food is in the fridge. Tomorrow takes us back to a relatively normal schedule with a few gift cards to pick up a few items desired. But what did this Christmas bring that was unexpected or new or wonderful or special to set it apart from past years?

Well, were I to look at the negative side I guess I could find a few things that didn't go as I would like them to have in a perfect world. But, honestly, most of the things that occurred were a blessing to me. I admit it, I dreaded heading up to the home of my mother-in-law yesterday. It's always too hot and the bed is too short and she has bars on her potty that are really cold when they rub against your hips. Aren't I terrible? But, because she is who she is, we went up there this year. Before we headed out, the husband and I exchanged our gifts. I had ordered a special gift for my husband, but it didn't come in... So, we had to suffice with the smaller I had wrapped. He, on the other hand, lugged in a huge wrapped gift into the house. Far too heavy for me to carry. I suspected the contents. Yes, I am blessed to have a husband who remembers. I am now the proud owner of a wonderful belt sander for my fret work! I love my husband. Now, for heat in the garage so I can saw and sand away in the winter :) I can't wait to try that puppy out.

For the past few years we've had services here at the house and friends came and our house was afloat with friends on Christmas Eve. This was especially important when the children are grown and gone and are pulled hither and yon on Christmas Eve, so they are not here. There was laughter and fun and...well.... it took the sting out of missing children. But, to look at it from Mom's point of view, I guess she misses her children too, even though she was at our house two years ago on Christmas Eve and choses not to be with us. Anyway... onward. I must cease to whine.

We arrived at mom's 30 minutes before Christmas Eve services were to start at our "home" church. Henry was a part of this church since childhood until 1993. I, for just ten years '83-'93. Both my sons were baptized there and one married there. There I first wore a headcovering and learned of the wonderful history of who we are. There, I taught my first Sunday School class and served on my first Church Board. It really is "home" in many ways. Stepping in there last night there was much that was familiar. The music and worship was wonderful. Many memories were sparked in that pew of times when children were small, when we looked forward to family time after the services and the reading of scriptures. Ahhh... sweet memories sparked in that hour. I was able to see and speak to a few people with whom I have a history with and that was all sweet.

From church we headed to mom's for ice cream and quiet and, yes, it was hot. But, we turned off the heat in our bedroom so it'd cool before we hit the bed. No need for a robe or slippers after changing into my nightgown. None of the old traditions now. Something different, but just as sweet. Still with people I love... my dear husband and my dear mother in law. Both who hold special chambers of my heart and will until my time on this rock is done.

Early this morning I awoke to the smell of coffee and bacon. Yummy! Christmas breakfast. The husband was hard at it. Breakfast set in front of me shortly upon sitting down. Then we started getting things ready. Hauling up the card table for the kiddies, setting the good china on the table. Putting Mr. Tom Turkey in one oven and Mr. Porky Ham in the other, peeling a ton of potatoes, while Mom sat at the table and chopped up the celery and onion for dressing. By 1 all was well. With the gravy quickly made, taters mashed, the bread heated and the beans heated, salad placed, the ten of us sat down with much thanks to God, to a wonderful meal. The pies came later. Now, this was a "normal" Christmas. The Christmas we all remembered. Even though the husband and I did most of the cooking, everyone, except the wives and grands, all remember fondly, "dinner at Nanny's". There was laughter and looks around the table and children who barely ate a thing. After eating some of us took leave to take a walk in the beautiful, sunny and warm December day. But, not before the husband called our attention to some precious blue finches flying all around the garage and barn. I'm sure the dear dil's got pictures and I'll post them at some point if they did.

Anyway, as all the youngens and I walked through the fields of acreage, we reminesced about the primary one missing at the table today. Pappy, "the Dad", who left us June 6, 1990, was missed still today. He sat at the head of the table, always, and no one left a crumb on their plate when he was there. Justin talked of barbed wire, fences and gates he shut when helping on the farm. Rex and Justin shared memory of a Pappy and a goose named Snow White that no one loved but Pappy. Other names missing from the table were mentioned today, Pap-paw, Mam-aw, Aunt Margaret... All those who've gone on. Rex has little memory of those, but Justin remembers them all and he tells the stories that bring a tear to your eye.... from laughter. We also spoke of missing siblings/children, living in North Carolina who were sadly absent from the table.

I watched my grandsons run, bent for leather, up and down hills and jumping over springs . I showed Luke where deer had laid and he had to lay down to see how it felt. I also showed Luke some dried up Rabbit tobacco and he asked, "do rabbits smoke?" He gave it to his mom. It has a wonderful smell, even dried. As we crossed through barbed wire, I saw each one help the other so that no clothing was torn or damaged, something that would have never happened as children ~ buddy back then you were on your own! I watched Justin lift his wife over the fence and remembered Henry doing the same for me once and 75 pounds ago. Fact is, I stood back a good bit and just watched. Watched little boys, now the size of men; watched women with cameras catching memories on disk; watched little boys see another part of their daddy's world through children's eyes. It was a beautiful and, yet, sad, sight. It's odd watching and realizing that your children really don't need you anymore. Odder still to think that they are there, now, with you because they want to be and not because they have no choice. (At least I hope that is the case, and they are not there out of obligation so much.) It's telling to see a movement or word from a little boy's mouth, and hearing or seeing your own child in it. To have a little boy stop and say, "Mee-Mee my shoe is untied", and when you stop to help, he says, "You get it straight, but I can tie it". Ahhh, a joy. A joy to know he can tie it and a joy to know he still needs your help...for a while yet.

Yes, it was a day I hated to see end. No real sorrow at all... just joy. Yes, the gifts were nice, especially the cologne... And I'm wearing my new robe now. But it was the time... the walk... the memories...the children...both young and not so, that made the day a special one. And, we gave some of that back to Mom as well. So, I'm glad we went. I'm glad we spent the time. We never know when time will end for us. The Bible tells us to redeem the time because the days are evil. Today I redeemed some time. Thanks be to God and to my dear husband, dear mother in law and dear children.

Merry Christmas Every one! May we "see" Christ-mas all year long!