The greatest blessing at Christmas is family

I’m writing this on Christmas eve. The snow is softly falling. Football on TV provides background noise. There are still two presents left to wrap. All the other preparations are done. By the time you read this, everything will be over until next time.

One of my Christmas cards was returned this year. “Deceased, May” was written on the envelope. The intended recipient was a relative I had met at a family reunion several years ago. At the time I was struck by her physical resemblance to my grandmother. We struck up a conversation and began a casual friendship.

 I sent her pictures of long lost relatives. She called with stories of those same relatives. She resided in Jacksboro, Texas. I looked it up and found it in the northwest part of Texas. We talked once or twice a year. I knew she was getting older and creakier but it was still a surprise to find out she had died at age 73.

I expect more returned cards as years go by.

I spent much of last week baking. Baking is always a good thing to do while contemplating mortality.

My brother, David, was hosting Christmas this year and invited us to be there on Saturday. I asked if I should bring cookies, rolls or potatoes. They said yes. I asked which one. Both David and his wife, Apryl, said all three. Me and my big mouth!

Saturday we loaded up the car and headed out into the snow. Thanks to the directions provided by the handy dandy internet, we found new and narrow roads to travel. We took a simpler way home.

My other brother, Michael, and his wife, Diane, were already there. David and Apryl’s son, Jadyn, arrived shortly after we did. Apryl explained how she had broken her ankle while hiking on their recent trip to Las Vegas. She has to stay off of it for two more weeks at least. She had colored lights draped festively on her knee scooter.

David told of the Israeli who was hiking with them who said he was used to hiking long distances but was often out of breath. When Apryl broke her ankle he said something to the effect of, “Oh, thank goodness,” as he collapsed and took the opportunity to drink some water and eat a snack.

We talked until we ran out of things to say. We ate a good meal and talked some more. When it was time for presents David started laughing. He looked at Apryl and said, “Should we tell her?”

Apryl shrugged. “I don’t care.”

It seems that they lost my present. They had bought it last summer and can’t remember where they put it. They have enlisted Jadyn in the search party. Wherever it is, it is well hidden. They have had Jadyn look in their camper, under the bed and even in the refrigerator. No present.

So they bought me a pair of socks instead.

David said what they had bought was a garden stake. It is in the shape of a flower and incorporates stained glass. I wonder if they will find it before my birthday in February. Maybe I’ll get it next Christmas. Maybe they will never find it but it makes for a good story.

We had our annual wrapping paper fight and David hit me right in the eye. This was followed by flipping elves. Apryl had found some rubber bands shaped like elves and included them in everyone’s present. This was as much fun as the wrapping paper fight, except for when David and I grabbed an elf at the same time and he let go first.

After everybody settled down, I looked around at my family. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who love me, even if they do lose my present.