Christmas Past

No picture. Nothing Special. It is two days until the new year begins. We are ready! Currently we are "camping" out in a barracks used as a hotel in Kansas. We had been planning to babysit the boys for months while their parents attended a wedding in Boston. Knowing the precious young couple getting married, we were more than delighted to accept. The string of events is long. I don't know where it begins. Our son-in-law's grandfather's health had gotten worse over the past few months and just a few weeks ago, Cecil's grandmother placed Grandfather in a nursing home. Two weeks into the nursing care, Grandfather's condition was so bad that he was hospitalized, not being expected to make it through the night. Amy and Cecil had planned earlier to go to the grandparents, knowing that this could be the last time to see Grandfather. Their tickets were for two days after Grandfather's hospitalization. Well, they did make it. Not only were they able to see Grandfather and visit with him, but they were with him when he breathed his last peaceful breaths. They were there for support for the family, to plan arrangements, and to offer a welcome diversion via the two rowdy little boys. They returned home exhausted late Christmas Eve. Friends had invited them over for Christmas Day dinner. They accepted and went on their merry way. Sometime into their visit, Harry requested a special toy from home. Dad refused. Harry insisted. Dave encouraged Cecil to go back, offering to go with him to the house. When the two men arrived the short distance at the house, they found that the house was black with smoke, flames reaching almost to the ceiling on the dining room table, where an advent wreath, surrounded by paper and presents, had gone unseen and forgotten. While Cecil was able to put out the fire with a gallon of tea (gotta love those southern boys!), the damage was extensive. The fire chief told the two men that had they returned even ten minutes later, the entire unit (housing 4 families) would have gone up in flames because the units are so old. Restoration in currently still working in the home taking every item out of drawers, cabinets, shelves, and closets. Damaged items are on the front porch. The next day we arrived, already en route before we discovered the events of the previous day. I encouraged them to go on to the wedding in Boston. The hard part was that the weather, which had become increasingly nasty (blizzard) on the way up, kept right on going. So Friday found us in temporary housing (army barracks/hotel) with two rowdy little boys and 9" of snow on the ground. I will make no bones about the fact that Friday was a most unpleasant day. The little guy (20 months) is into head butting and temper tantrums. He also eats like a human garbage disposal. The four year old was just as confused and bewildered and acted out, as well, on Friday. Enter Saturday and sunshine! Whooo Hoooo! McDonalds saved us. We had chicken nuggets, fries, and played all afternoon. Michelle and Dave invited us over dinner. Life was good! Today is Sunday with more lovely sunshine to brighten our spirits. Another family has invited us for dinner tonight. And at church this morning, the congregation included us in their prayer requests. More families came forward to offer their homes and hospitality. In all of this, we continue to give thanks for God's grace and the fact that no one was injured in the fire. Things can usually be replaced; people cannot. Our old bodies are feeling every bit of our ages, despite the fact that the beds are beyond comfortable, and we are sleeping like lambs at night. I thank God for young mothers. LOL!!! Off to check out the Cowboy game and see if our little charge is up from his nap. Blessings on your family and you, Sandy