I started out a little "bummed out" on Christmas Eve, thinking it was going to be a lonely, quiet Christmas, with nobody around to share this holiday with Earl and I, and even so far as thinking, how much my children really care about us being alone for Christmas, and then, letting my thoughts go out of control as to think, would it make a difference if we weren't even close to them...maybe we should move to Maryland, maybe we should just go traveling, maybe we'll end up alone in a nursing home without visitors....see where my mind was at. I have to laugh at my wanderings now as i look back over the last two days. Why was I thinking like that! Earl and I looked at each other, and realized how wonderful it was to be off together, and we were going to make it a great time for us to relax, and enjoy our days off.
First, we started out going to church early, so I could practice singing in the choir before Mass, then, participating in the Holy Eucharist, and celebration of Christmas, with a church community overflowing with people, home for the holidays, singing beautiful hymns, rejoicing in the wonderful decor of lights, trees, nativity scene, candles glowing, smiles, and warm greetings, new babies born this year, greeting old friends.
We came away from that with the true Christmas spirit.
I then fixed a delicious ham dinner, having baked the ham while in church,
and having snacks, and wine beforehand.
then, my favorite Christmas movie came on, "It's a Wonderful Life", and of course, I cried at the end as I always do.
Christmas morn arose with snowflakes falling, and a fresh coating of white covered the landscape.
Dough-dees, served with King syrup followed, as is our family tradition, along with eggs and ham.
Phone calls followed to wish all our children a Merry Christmas!
Then, we were invited to our neighbor's house for dinner in the afternoon, and yes, we ate too much, but it all was so good!
This followed by our daughter Danielle, Shawn, and children coming over to talk, eat supper, see the children, and share Christmas wishes. We opened their gift of family photos of their year's events in a book, written lovingly, and we'll cherish it always.
What a wonderful Christmas it was, and I wouldn't have asked for anything more relaxing, and blessed. Thank you, God, for giving us such a joyous Christmas.
And the children were nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums, danced in their heads!
We came away from that with the true Christmas spirit.
I then fixed a delicious ham dinner, having baked the ham while in church,
and having snacks, and wine beforehand.
then, my favorite Christmas movie came on, "It's a Wonderful Life", and of course, I cried at the end as I always do.
Christmas morn arose with snowflakes falling, and a fresh coating of white covered the landscape.
Dough-dees, served with King syrup followed, as is our family tradition, along with eggs and ham.
Phone calls followed to wish all our children a Merry Christmas!
Then, we were invited to our neighbor's house for dinner in the afternoon, and yes, we ate too much, but it all was so good!
This followed by our daughter Danielle, Shawn, and children coming over to talk, eat supper, see the children, and share Christmas wishes. We opened their gift of family photos of their year's events in a book, written lovingly, and we'll cherish it always.
What a wonderful Christmas it was, and I wouldn't have asked for anything more relaxing, and blessed. Thank you, God, for giving us such a joyous Christmas.
And the children were nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums, danced in their heads!
