Each year Christmas brings something special. It goes beyond material gifts. The presents are nice but they sometimes distort the true meaning of Christ's birthday.
Last year the special event was when Grandson Dominic saw a light in the night sky as we were returning home on Christmas Eve. It was Santa. It had to be Santa. When we got home, presents were laid out under the tree and Dominic was sure that the light he saw was Santa bringing gifts to our house. I don't know what Dominic saw but that really doesn't matter. He believed in the magic of Santa for just a little longer. How special was that? A star shone!
This year as we approached Christmas Eve our plan was to have several kids and their (spouses or friends) join us for boiled shrimp and 2 inch thick steaks. The following day was the grandchildren "event". They were all coming the following day.
Well Grasshopper No. 1's daughter Dano was going to drive on Christmas Eve from Plymouth to our house but then return to Plymouth because she had to work Christmas Day (that part of the story sucks). Work on Christmas Day? Come on! Shelby's mom Lyla (Nana) who is 95 and very, very quick minded had joined us at Thanksgiving was going to spend Christmas with one of her other kids. Here is how magic works. Dano called her great-grandmother Nana to wish her a Merry Christmas. During the conversation, Dana mentioned she was coming to our house alone Christmas Eve and returning the same night (that is a 70 mile journey). Wouldn't you know that there was some "pixie dust" in the air. Nana volunteered to ride along with Dano for Christmas Eve to our house and then also return to Plymouth the same night. So Shelby's mom got to join us for a very nice Christmas celebration. The company was good. There was laughter. Santa even brought Lyla a gift or two. There is no way we could have planned Nana joining us. It just sort of happened. Kind of like Dominic seeing Santa in the evening sky as he came to our house. So we just kind of count of blessings. A Star Shone, again!
A special Thank You goes out to my life partner who every year seems to get caught up in the spirit of Christmas. She creates magic moments that family will remember forever. Decorations! Food (always special recipes and aromas). And personalized gifts (she always tries to please everybody). She drives herself to the point of exhaustion. She can now recouperate knowing that she made everybody's life just a little better. It is love that motivates her. She should know that everybody loves her back.
Love,
Dad
Moms the Best!