CHRISTMAS

 In the year of COVID, there is no normal.  I'm sure everyone has at least thought that there was no year like this one.  Everything has changed.  Even Christmas is not very much like we remember. 

Most of my Christmas eves and Christmas days were similar.  As a child, we received or exchanged gifts on Christmas eve and then went to church Christmas morning.  My mom's dad always went bowling on Christmas Eve.  Poor guy always missed Santa visiting.  I sang in our school choir for about four years when I was older..

Suzanne, I, and the kids always had gift exchanges on Christmas eve - sometimes midnight mass and sometimes morning mass.  For a number of years, it was ritual for Suzanne and the kids and maybe my mother to drive around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights on houses.  Santa usually came while they were out.   The years all sort of meld into one.

Well, all except this one.  In 1966, I spent Christmas in a tent on the sandy dunes above Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.  I was alone with hundreds of other guys.  I can't remember anything else about it.  No doubt it was hot.  The mess crew usually cooked up something special on the holidays.  I hadn't heard my wife's voice since August when I left.  I knew by this time that she was expecting our child.  I haven't painted a pretty picture, I suppose.  Another of life's small hurdles.  

Now, we're dealing with another little hurdle.  Ask Jesus to help us on His birthday.  

Merry Christmas to all.  All the blessings of Christmas to you.  

💕