LOVE, JOY, and BLESSINGS

As this evening comes to a close the house is fairly quiet. Don and Jake have hidden themselves away in the Man Cave to play whatever newest game was gotten for Christmas. Genna has just finished bathing Indy, our dog, since she decided to roll in something very dead and wants to sleep inside tonight. Casey and Alan have headed back to Charlotte. Last night we had dinner with our surrogate barn family. Today we have visited 3 houses of family, covering full circle through 6 counties in our travels. I was discussing in the car while traveling today the Christmas of old. Where we would as kids travel to see both sets of grandparents Christmas eve until the wee hours and then spend Christmas at home with mom and dad. As we grew older and our Grandparents passed away... MAN how I miss them, our holiday ritual changed. Instead of traveling to the Grandparents we would have all of dad's family down for Christmas Eve and have the family day on Christmas day with Mom's family that afternoon.
Last year all of that changed..... with the growth of the extended family and the passing of three of my Uncles in the span of just a couple of years the extended family felt it was too much to all try and get together on Christmas Eve.  I grumble about those days, the driving, the work , and all that went into making it come together, but the reality of it is.... It makes you realize just how precious family is. The joy it brings to my parents face to be able to spend one more holiday with all the kids and grand kids. The love I see in Margie to have her only son and granddaughter in the house together and have breakfast. The Love we all feel once we are there sitting enjoying the fellowship of our parents, siblings, cousins, nephews, aunts and uncles alike. To visit with people you haven't seen in some instances years. These are the true Blessings of the season.

I am extremely blessed for so many reasons. I have been able to spend Christmas with my healthy daughter, where as some parents have a child fighting for their lives. I was able to spend Christmas with both of my brothers, where some have lost a sibling this year. I have been able to spend Christmas with both of my parents this year, where some of my dearest friends have lost a parent this year. I have been able to spend Christmas with my boyfriend, Don, where some have lost a spouse or significant other. God has blessed me with my family and my friends. Our Christmases are filled with Love, Joy, and a fair share of good natured squabbling, well because we are a family of smart a$$es but we love each other fiercely.

I have my health and the health of my family, for that I am very blessed. Each day the good Lord gives me is a day to rejoice his name. I pray for those who are battling illnesses right now. I see so many that are battling for just another day of life. I pray that God heals them. I pray for their families, I can't imagine what that must be like and in all honesty I hope I never do.

It warms my heart to see so many of my friends be able to spend time with their families during this season. I am lucky in that sometimes my family gets together for no reason at all, randomly throughout the year. I enjoy seeing the Love this time of year brings out in people. As this year comes to a close it brings with it a new chapter and new beginnings for so many of my friends.

I close this CHRISTmas day with a prayer that all of my friends and family feel the LOVE and the JOY that I feel each time we are together. Whether it be CHRISTmas day, a morning breakfast in the middle of the month, a text message at random times of day, a phone call, a lunch midweek to catch up, time spent at the barn for some horse therapy, or on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings gathered in Church.

God has BLESSED me beyond my wildest dreams. Not with fame and certainly not with fortune but with items that no money or fame can buy. The LOVE of so many people and the JOY they bring to my life.

I hope everyone has had a BLESSED CHRISTmas!!!