I can't believe it's already January 6th...the holidays, so soon gone, are a frenzied blur in my mind. We had such high hopes - it was the first year we were able to spend the holidays with all of honey's siblings (and all of the grandkids) up in PA. So I braced myself for a road trip to remember, and the Monday before Christmas, off we went. Tuesday night we arrived, exhausted but happy, ready to celebrate. Everything seemed perfect - everyone was there, everyone was on their best behavior, and the kiddos were all so cute together! Then, in the wee small hours of Christmas morning, I heard the horrid sounds of my oldest child throwing up. MA soon followed, with honey not far behind. Turns out that one of the families there had just recovered from a stomach bug, and had passed it on, not only to our family, but to just about everyone. Of the 31 people there for Christmas, 27 had the stomach bug sometime during our time together. Turned out to be a 24 hour bug, but my sweet family was very weak for days following. Stomach bug was followed by an pretty bad asthama flare for MA, and colds for all four of us. I think I got to feeling better about the time we rolled back into the DFW area.
Needless to say, it was a Christmas to remember.
As we look at another year, and all the expectations that go with it, I hope I can remember some lessons I learned from the great Christmas adventure of 2008. Sometimes, things just don't go the way you hope they will. However, there are still blessings to be found even when your expectations are dashed - you just have to be willing to keep your eyes (and heart) open to see them. And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You. Psalm 139:7
1 year ago
4 comments:
Shannon! I am SOOOO sorry! What a crazy time. Glad ya'll all made it back to Texas ok. Thought about you as we drove by your old house in DeRidder over Christmas holidays. Had a for sale sign in front. Miss ya'll!
LOL! Yup, it was a Christmas to Remember alright.
But - stomach flus can be an agent of peace-keeping. For that, I'm grateful.
And sometimes just showing up is a powerful force of change.
God desires peace and unity amongst His children (above my pride, above my being "right"), and will show off if given a chance. That's my lesson for Christmas 2008.
That, and, I love me some Shannon. How can I be so blessed to have such an incredible sister-in-law?
I'ma call you Florence Nightengale this year. LOL!
Love,
Sha
Oh, Shannon. Stomach virus, yuck but especially while away from home. I am so sorry.
Susan, I haven't thought about our old house in so long! Loved that house. ;o) Hope all was well in DeRidder! How fun must it be to take kiddos back to your hometown...
Sha, you know I couldn't have made it without you there! I was SO glad that you & J decided to show up... what would I do without you??? Florence Nightengale I ain't, but I'll answer to Flo anytime! Ha!
It was icky, Liz! I pray that doesn't ever happen again, although I think it probably will, because as my mom says, "out of town bugs are the worst." ;o)
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