We’re spending this Christmas in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania with our daughter Dawnmarie and her family. This is the first Christmas we’ve spent with their family. As we were preparing to leave lots of people expressed surprise that we’d drive across the country at this time of the year. In the back of my mind I was thinking, “Why not? Truckers do it every day!” However, just behind us a major winter storm has blown into the midwest closing freeways and generally making travel pretty miserable. All that should be cleared away when we head home around the 4th or 5th of January. It’s been raining here all day and what little snow was on the ground is pretty much gone. It seems the weather is going all around this part of the state of Pennsylvania (and we’re not complaining).
I enjoyed the process of doing Christmas here at the Lunnen household. Last night Kirk and Dawnmarie organized everything under the tree into groups of presents, one for each child in each group. This morning the kids “patiently” waited on the stairs until 7 a.m. when they were allowed downstairs. After going through their stockings and Santa presents, then the presents under the tree were handed out in groups, one present to each of the six children. They then opened the presents in order from youngest to oldest so each could see what the others had received. It was a lot of fun and enjoyable. Perhaps my biggest surprise was when Kate opened a present that consisted of a tube of toothpaste and an electric toothbrush. She jumped for joy! It turns out that was her #1 request for Christmas. Her wish was nicely fulfilled.
Last night the missionaries came over and joined the family for dinner followed by a Christmas Eve program. Dinner was delicious and the program delightful. Each person did something … read a story, played a song, told a story, played something on an instrument, etc. It ended with reading the Christmas story from Luke and singing some Christmas carols. Then all the children were off to bed.
Over the years my thoughts about Christmas have certainly changed (and probably matured a lot as well). It’s fun being around family at this time of the year. The kids make lots of noise, argue, cry, and tease, but it’s all good. It probably helps that they’re grandkids rather than my own children and the responsibility for them is one generation removed. Christmas is definitely a multi-dimensional event. One aspect is the Santa Claus for the little children. Another aspect is the buying and exchanging of gifts. Getting together with family and loved ones is another dimension. Good food and good times adds another dimension. And, overarching all, is the religious dimension which enables the entire season for me.
This Christmas day is rapidly ending. Some of the grandkids have already gone to bed. Others are playing a game. One granddaughter has finished all three books she received as presents today. A few are watching a movie. Nina’s been talking with all our other children. And, I’m at my computer at the corner of the dining room table, feeling quite content. Merry Christmas … only 365 days until the next Christmas!
Ta ta for now!