Family Christmas

It was December 26th and our family gathered to celebrate our Savior's birth. We gave to one another the love in our hearts, a priceless gift, wrapped with hugs and tied with smiles as we spent cherished hours together. My sister did most of the cooking this year and served a delectable feast prepared without the aid of her oven, which decided to take a rest on Christmas this year. But nothing can stop the determination of my sister! What a trooper, she still managed to bake a ham, augratin potatoes, and pumpkin pie by using her roaster. No, she did not cook over the fireplace, but certainly put lots of love in the meal, and I love and appreciate her so much. Patty, Tammy, and I always have fun gathering around the table, chatting and catching up on important "girl talk", the content of which builds up through the months we are apart. Though we do talk often, many times the daily routines overshadow the underlying needs for women-chatter.

Hannah and Kate beside the Christmas tree. Nothing quite compares to the joy of little children and the delight on their faces. As Laura Ingalls Wilder said, "Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time."

My grandson, Jonathan with new jacket he had wanted. My nephew, Jeremy, getting ready to open a gift, which he hopes is associated with sports! These two had been outside in the above normal temperatures, but managed to come in in time for food and gifts.

Here I am with my new scarf from Patty. It is so warm and soft and I love it. My niece, Cassie is beside me on the couch.

The "girls" are at it again--on the computer looking at the calendar, trying to plan a girls-weekend in spring to celebrate Tammy's birthday. Though no particular day was set, it was agreed that this would be fun and we would possibly go to Lake of the Ozarks, where there are lots of shopping opportunities.

When evening arrived, and we had wished Hannah a 'Happy 14th birthday", we had to make our way toward southern Illinois through some very foggy spots, but got home safe and sound.

Saturday morning we got up and continued our Christmas "journey"--this time south to Bowling Green to visit our daughter, Maura and her family. Not having seen them since last year, it was amazing to see how much Emily had grown. She is such a sweet young lady, and really a great interior designer, by the looks of her room. When her brother, Nick went off to college, she eagerly moved to his room, and made it all her own, with happy green walls and bright pink dots. I need her skills for organizing my closets, as hers was right out of a Martha Stewart magazine! Here is Emily with her pet hamster. We were glad to get to visit with Jo, Maura's Mom while we were there.

Nick, in his cowboy hat, had just been out working on the farm putting in a fence. His heart is in the country, whether it is on a tractor, or hunting, but still he is pursuing his college degree so he can afford that long "2 mile gravel road" back to his house in the country.

We thank the Lord for His mercy and grace and guidance in uniting us with Maura and her family. Leon and I had prayed for her before we ever knew where she was, and in 1996 God answered our prayers, and we give thanks for her and all of her family.

"To the American People: Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind, to cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world." ***Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) American President. Presidential message (December 25, 1927)

Here Donald and Maura are with their dog, Biscuit. We wished them a "Happy Anniversary", and then continued our journey up to Radcliff to say hello to our friend Joe.

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!"--Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836

We are now back in our quiet home by the fire-side and thankful for a safe journey and the refreshed feeling of love, friendship, gratitude and kindred spirits which are our gifts from the Lord received through the time spent with family.