What a blessing

Over Christmas I had a chance to fly out to Florida to visit my parents and my grandmother.  Originally I was not planning on making the trek out this year due to finances but my parents called me one evening and said all we want for Christmas this year is to spend it together and offered to help get me there.  Unfortunately I had told my boss that I would work through the holidays as his go to man since I was unable to see family.  I told them this and said I'd see what I could do but no promises.  When I talked to my boss he was more than helpful and was able to give me Christmas eve and through the 26th off. I booked my flight and then called my dad for the fun part.  We had talked earlier and I told him I wanted it to be a surprise for mom and grandma.  So I called mom up and said mom I could only get Christmas eve off and it wasn't worth it for just one day.  She as usual was understanding and supportive and she was hooked.

Flash forward to December 23rd, D-Day.  Wake up at 4:15am to get to work so I can open the store that day.  Get off work at 11, run home pack and get ready for the trip.  12:15 my good friend Steve Melton drives me to the Eugene Airport. 3:30 first flight leaves EUG to Portland.  5:30 flight leaves for pheonix.  11:55pm flight leaves for Ft Lautterdale. 5:30am December 24th I arive in FL.  My Dad picks me up and we head to their house, we chatted about if they suspected it and he assured me they were totally unaware.  Then he told me his "Story" as to why he left the house at butt crack thirty in the morning on Christmas Eve.  "Pam I have to do some last minute shopping and there are big day before Christmas man sales just like black friday but for men.  So when I get home don't look because you'll know what it is right away."  I can't believe they bought that!  I walked into the door and both Mom and Grandma say, we're not peeking.  It was perfect I snuck up behind my mom locked and loaded with a big warm hug, and she turns around at the last minute just in time to shreek and jump a foot in the air, while my grandmother stood in the corner yelling.  Mission accomplished :) What a travel experience, but it wasn't over yet.  Since I only had 2 days there I couldn't just hit the sheets and waste the time, I took a quick little nap and then it was show time.

We had such a great trip, plenty of hang out time, good food, good wine, a card game or two, Christmas eve service, and family.  One of the best parts of the trip was spending time with my grandma.  This woman is one of the biggest pillars of faith in my life and I know she doesn't have a clue what an impact she has on my life.  Even though we are sepparated by thousands of miles and we don't get to see each other often her faithfulness, positive attitude, discipline, humble spirit, gentleness, persuit of the LORD, and prayer life mark my life and affect me constantly.  Her example of consistancy and faithfulness go unmatched in my life.  I hadn't seen her in five years and conversations are few and far between so we were way over-due.  I just love being around her and soaking up her wisdom in her words yes, but more ofter in her actions, I'm taking notes!  I don't know when we'll be able to be together again but I sure would love to make a trip back to Michigan to see all of my family soon.  For now I am incredibly thankful for the short time I had with her!

This year we agreed not to give gifts other than some small stocking stuffers and that was awesome!  With all of us sepparated by so much distance and as our family grows older, the blessings of gifts become difficult and different.  I love giving gifts but what I love about it is blessing people with something they need or want, and this is a hard mark to hit as we all grow up.  The freedom from gifts and monetary focus of the holiday really allowed me to focus on family and the truely amazing gift of a loving framily and time together.  I'd say this was one of the best Christmas' I've had and it was because of the company not the stuff.  It was tough to be away from Heather but I did get to talk to her twice which was amazing! Hopefully next year our whole family can be together.