Even though I hate snow, ice, cold, sleet, wind, shivering; Christmas is my favorite time of year. I would not do it in any other climate, but would be happiest if I could do all the Christmas doings without ever leaving my house into the cold. We live on top of a mountain and when we first moved in to our home 16 years ago, everyone thought I was crazy when I said it was colder up here, but you know what "It is colder up here".
This year has been made even more special by our Grandkids. Jim and I were sitting having dinner one night following a very intense and frightening conversation about Jim losing work over the holiday as they are doing a mandatory shutdown, when our phone rings. On the other end is a very excited little girl inviting us to come over and sing Christmas Carols around their tree. Of Course, being the Nana and Pop Pop we dropped everything, left it all on the table and jumped in the truck. I think Jim even walked out with a string of spaghetti hanging ever so graceful from the tip of his chin. Madi greeted us at the top of her stairs and was waiting to show us her tree. Walking into the living room was walking into heaven with Gavi greeting us from his chair on the floor with screams of Nana and PopPop. While Gavi babbled happily, Madi gave us a tour of her tree showing us the ornaments and showing us what each one meant to her. She then proceeded to gather us all around the tree holding hands and insisted we sing Christmas Carols. We did this for her, Mommy with her headache, Daddy and Pop Pop each with his own stress of the day and individual worries for the future, and Gavi all joining togeather in our own rendition of Jingle Bells and We wish you a Merry Christmas. Ahh this is what makes everyday perfect. Forgetting about all the pain and worry for the future for Gavin, fear over financial concerns and letting a little 3 year old lead us back to the Evergreen Tree and to remember what is important in life. God's hand is guiding us all and he already knows the plan and will prepare us all for each and every day and give us the strength to handle it all.
But really, "God, we really need an extra dose of it right now, We are thankful for your gift of our grandchildren, but are feeling pain at the thought of losing one from our arms."
