Christmas Came... After All

My family.  Oh, my crazy, amazing, wonderful family.

What did they do?  I'm glad you asked.

Here's a little back story.  I'll keep it simple. To sum up, my life is in a bit of a mess right now.   I'm working one million jobs (to be heard in Dr. Evil's voice, and yes, I am hyperbole-prone), I'm too broke to pay attention, and I am alone.  Throw in the fact that we lost 99% of our Christmas treasures in the flood (when Mansker Creek decided to come in the house, a whole 'nother story) and you might surmise correctly that it wasn't beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here...and no plan to change that.  No time, no money, and what's the point.

And you need to know, that's a pretty big departure from the norm.  We do Christmas pretty large in this house.  Also notice the word "treasures" in describing Christmas stuff.  Every single item had a special meaning.  Trust me.  TREASURES.  Because of the post-flood outpouring of love and help from my church family, there were many precious items carefully salvaged and saved, but I hadn't quite yet had the guts to examine what remained because I didn't want to acknowledge yet what was lost.  Yeah, yeah, I need counseling.  I'm in denial.  Whatev. This has been hard!

Okay, you are up to speed now. 

So.  I left for work on Sunday afternoon, leaving some family members in my home, moving in a large piece of furniture from my brother's house.  Hated to leave but had to go.

Flash forward several hours to when I got off work.  My daughter (who set in motion from Denver this little Christmas scheme) wanted me to call her on the way home.  The pretense was to tell me about her weekend, but when I got home, I saw the real reason.

In my living room, in front of the big window overlooking the back yard, sat the most beautiful tree I have ever seen.  Fully decorated with blazing lights, old treasures saved from the flood, and carefully handpicked new treasures bought for me by my family.  Special meanings all over the place.  AND not just handpicked and bought.  They ALL came over and decorated this tree, with their own two hands. 

Are you kidding me?  Who does that?  I'll tell you who.  My family.  My crazy, amazing, wonderful family.

Ready for the Thanksgiving segue?

I am so thankful for my family!