One evening in October Bill and I were sitting around with the kids talking about how hard it has been to loose family members the week of Thanksgiving. This Christmas we would be missing another family member, my brother. We were talking about how hard it was to find the magic of Christmas and reminisced about Christmas in Colorado where Bill and I grew up and gave birth to our children. We spontaneously decided to book flights that night while the tickets were cheap. It was a little challenging for Bill since no other plans were made, but we quickly talked him into it.
A couple of weeks later our son-in-law was in a tragic car accident and was in a coma and ICU for several weeks. As the weeks passed it was hard to think about going to Colorado and it especially was for Sarah. Clay was now out of the coma and ICU and had been moved to a rehabilitation center. Everyone thought it would be good for Sarah and Chloe to go relax and play in the snow for a few days, so reluctantly she decided to go.
There was a lot of preparation getting ready for the trip but finally all eight of us were on a plane. I took a deep breath and relaxed. Jack, our 2 year-old grandson is quite a seasoned traveler and for Chloe, our 2 year-old granddaughter, this would be her first plane ride.
We were welcomed to Colorado by my sweet brother and his wife and headed for Estes Park the next day. When I am in the Rocky Mountains it always feels like God is standing there waiting to say hello. The mountains show so many sides of God. They show His majesty, power, and beauty to name a few. We spent a wonderful week shopping, eating great food, playing in the snow, snow shoeing and visiting friends. One of the highlights of the trip was having coffee with one of my heroes, Les Avery. He was the senior pastor of the church I grew up in. He is 80 years old and took the gold this year in the Senior Olympics in biking. He rides 150 miles a week. He is such an inspiration!!
We bought a few little surprises this year but other than that, we really didn't buy presents. The trip was the present for everyone. This made the Christmas process very relaxing. We are home now and it is Christmas Eve. It does feel a little strange to not be opening presents in the morning but our focus this year has been a lot more meaningful.
This morning I spent a relaxing morning running some errands with my daughter and granddaughter. This afternoon Bill and I went to visit with his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's. She spent most of her visit talking to her imaginary friends but she was happy and that makes us happy. Sarah was having a hard day so we went out for a nice dinner and then she went to be with Clay while we took Chloe to church to sing about Jesus and watch it snow. My sweet Chloe loves to go to church and loves to pray. She often says, "MeMe pray Daddy's boo boo's." We always stop whatever we are doing and pray for her daddy's boo boo's.
Tonight some friends of Sarah are over playing games and we are cooking breakfast for tomorrow morning. Tomorrow we won't be getting up to a house full of presents and people but we will be taking breakfast to Clay's family and the wonderful therapists taking care of him. It is a Christmas that we will never forget because so much has changed. We know that you can't take anything for granted. What matters the most is family and seeing each other through the tough times.
Tonight I am so grateful for all of the family memories made this Christmas. I am thankful that our daughter Bethany and her family were able to visit with Ed's family and they will be back soon. I am thankful that Clay is doing so well and is getting stronger every day. I am thankful for the strength I see in Sarah and I am especially thankful for Christ and His presence in my life, no matter what the circumstance.
Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus!
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