Christmas
7:21 a.m. - 2005-12-25
Merry Christmas everyone. (I know no one actually reads my diary anymore but just in case.)
For the first time in over twenty years my mother and current step-father came up for the holiday. Making this the first Christmas my children have ever spent with my side of the family, along with their other side, their paternal Grandparents. Their paternal Grandparents are excellent. I could not have asked for better in-laws. They are steadfast, caring, intelligent and diligent.
So let me give you this Christmas's scenario. I am blessed. I have my first home, which while a work in progress is mine and the mortgage holders. I have a roof to hang lights from which I did. I have a small Christmas tree and all my children, family, grandchildren, here for the holiday. There are more presents then I can possibly tell about. While I bought each of my children 2 presents each, which was the best I could do. Add those to the ones they give one another, Grandparents added and friends. My goodness we are blessed.
Last night we had a lovely Christmas eve. A fire out in the firepit in the backyard. The neighbors over. The house total chaos. Noise, mess, wrapping paper discarded all over. It was great. Maybe even my first real holiday in my life that was not somber.
Then good friends showed up, and completely took us off guard, overwhelmingly so . The first thing they gave us was a envelope with a check for $600 in it. Designated to get the van's head fixed. Then they redid both kids bedroom. My son has a official nascar room, it looks awesome. New sheets, comforter, bedskirt in Nascar. Framed posters of his favorite drivers with inspirational quotes on them. Nascar shaped pillow even! My Daughters room done in a beautiful motiff of pinks and purples and very hip things. Complete overhaul in there. And I might add the first time in either of their lives that either of them have had a real decorated bedroom. It did not stop there, they bought us a new bed in the bag set of a beautiful design that I had picked out months ago but could not afford, somehow I never told anyone and it just happened. Funny how life works that way sometimes. They also bought my a new kitchen sink and new facet. Not that there was anything wrong with the one I have now but this sink is deeper and the facet is decorative. And they gave us perfume , colonge, a Christmas center piece. Just wow....
The great neighbor across the street bought me a Ruby red grapefruit tree, how awesome.
I do not think I have ever gotten so many gifts in all my christmas's put together. Oh my mom bought me this gorgeous mahogany wood case with real silver flateware in it, including service for 12, 12 individual sets of crystal salt and pepper shakers (whoa) all the serving utentils, napkin holders, candle sticks. Just awesome.
Over and above all the presents, which were all great, having my family here, being in my own home, feeling the holiday spirit. Watching my grandchildren discover the magic of opening presents and laughing with glee, that just takes my breathe away. How lucky I am. How glad and blessed to be an American, a Christian, and have a family.
I truly hope each and every one of you experiences this and has the best holiday ever. For those that don't my heart sincerely hurts for you and my love goes out to all the troops that cannot be home. My deepest graditude for being places that will rob you of your holiday, so that families like mine can have ours. Thank you. You may or may not ever know how much that means. My prayers are with you.
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