Well, the Christmas Season has once again presented itself. It's always a beautiful and unique time. There are always different facets, events, and emotions surrounding it. Although me at age 62 and Bunny at age 60 makes it a particularly reflective and interesting one, if for no other reason than thinking of that fact, it has been exceptionally beautiful and eventful on many accounts this year.
Greensboro has had a picture postcard 6-7 inches of snow, providing the first white Christmas I remember in quite a while (enjoy the photos above). I love it except for the fact that I am concerned about the kids travel back to their homes (Chattanooga and Columbia).
The Christmas Candlelight service at church was beautiful. This was 37 years in a row for Bunny and I being in attendance. For Rob, it was as many in a row as years as he has lived (30) and for Elizabeth the same, except for her two years in Arizona. Ken's wonderful message, the music, and seeing friends and relatives made it special as usual. I always miss my Mother at that the service.
I have enjoyed recalling Christmas' as child this year for some reason. I recall in particular trips downtown with Aunt Annie during the season, many times on Christmas Eve itself. Aunt Annie, a great aunt who lived two doors down with my grandmother, would get her Christmas Club money, $1. a week she had deposited with the bank, (plus a tad of interest), some $52. We would catch the bus on Summit Avenue and head downtown where it would be so very crowded. The decorated light polls and store windows would adorn the season, and we would roam about the three big department stores, Ellis Stone, Meyers, and Belk. Particularly vivid was her example of never passing the ringers without tossing something in. We would end up at the S&W Cafeteria if I was lucky, and we would hopefully catch a glimpse of Deebo Steele, the town's beloved challenged citizen, acting a self-appointed traffic director out in the middle of the "square." What a time and what blessed memories.
The Christmas Eve gathering at the in-laws was especially good this year. The crowd was overwhelming in terms of size. I was not sure if we would even have the gathering this year due to Jean and Andy's health (they are in their late 80s), but from every standpoint, the Good Lord delivered a beautiful time. Again, that was my 37th Christmas Eve in a row at the home of my in-laws, which has been a blessing for me over time. I missed my Mother not being there.
This is Elizabeth's first Christmas home in two years. She could not come at Christmas when she was in Arizona, although she came at Thanksgiving one year and a week in early December the other. It is wonderful having her closer in Chattanooga. Elizabeth and Brandon are recently engaged and have set a date of May 28th to be married. We are very happy for them both and it has been exciting discussing and planning the wedding with her at Christmas. Brandon is a good and solid guy. He is good for Elizabeth and that makes us happy.
It has been a treat talking with Rob and Jamie about their life and work on SC Governor Nikki Haley's senior staff. They have recently moved into a new place in Columbia which we look forward to seeing.
As I reflect on life, and my life with Bunny, here at Christmas, I am very blessed. Bunny's health is a small challenge, and work/business is a challenge, but that all pales in comparison to the ways in which I am blessed. The kids are healthy, they have wonderful significant others, they have great jobs, they live in beautiful cities, and they all know and love the Lord to whom I believe they look for wisdom, direction, and peace. All is well......
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