This Season…
…is in need of miracles.
This year will be the first Christmas that our family of four will be all together in our home since 2013. Family deaths, illnesses, job changes, and moves across the country are the main culprits that have kept us away from home. It has felt like deja vu because of the years SHH (SHH = super hero husband) has been absent from holidays while deployed. He was serving in the U.S.Army as a helicopter pilot, in several world trouble zones. Both our daughters live several hours away so my husband and I have been decorating, including the Christmas tree. Ornaments and other treasured Christmas collectibles will be making their appearances for everyone once again.
I’m having mixed emotions as we prepare for Christmas. First, being all together at home is something that I have wished for and missed for years. It’s been joyful pulling out ornaments and remembering details surrounding them. SHH’s grandmother passed down many ornaments that she made herself. They are made of felt and have many sequins and other decorations that she sewed onto them. These are unlike ornaments for sale in retail stores. The realization that my kids’ great grandmother once touched and lovingly created them is very moving to me.
Then there are loads of purchased ornaments with special meaning to us. When SHH graduated no. 1 in his helicopter flight class, I found a few ornaments to represent his achievement. Later he obtained his fixed wing license and over the years, we’ve collected ornaments and decorative items to represent that achievement as well.
Smoker purchased during our tour in Germany
We have “Baby’s First Christmas” ornaments for both daughters, not to mention ornaments that they both made at school and gave to us as gifts. We’ve had traditional meals at Christmas that we still make even now: King Ranch Chicken, Angel Biscuits, both chocolate and peanut butter fudge, mimosas on Christmas morning, chocolate cream pie, Spicy Chex Mex, countless variations of Christmas cookies, homemade rolls, and so much more. I know we will have a wonderful time and we are all anticipating Christmas with extra enthusiasm this year.
And yet, the war between Israel and Hamas continues. The people of Ukraine are still suffering. There are people suffering everywhere. This isn’t a year that’s passed without very similar tragedies taking place. Donations, prayers-as I’ve gotten older, it’s become harder to believe that these events will ever stop. I admit to growing agnostic and discouraged. All of this without even getting into the crazy ass national politics!
A few years ago I vowed that I would try to have as much fun as I could. This was/is my attempt to prevent worsening MS (multiple sclerosis) from getting more depressing and to seek the best in life that’s available to me. The worlds, both the large one and my small one seem determined to get worse. I will be praying for peace, shelter, food and safety and healing. I don’t really know what else to do, honestly, except to enjoy this upcoming Christmas with my family. Happy holidays to everyone.