Two Guests at our Ducky Christmas

Merry Christmas!

God had a delightful Christmas surprise in store for me this year. It came wrapped up in two members of a family who have been very good to our Drew in Omaha. When Drew's friend Louis couldn't come last weekend, his younger brother Zach came instead.Somehow the idea came about to invite the family to our home for Christmas. Neither Louis nor their mother was able to come but Zach and his sister Abigail (Abby) stayed over Christmas eve then shared Christmas day with us. Our married children and grand children live too far away to come home for Christmas - an absence that leaves a notable void in the heart of Christmas lovin' grandma. Having our two young guests was a joy for me as I have missed the noisome presence of children and youth, their music, their wonder and their take on the world expanding before their eyes!
After Christmas Eve service, we came home, cranked up Mannheim Steamroller's Extrodin Aire and finished trimming the tree. Behind each ornament is a Christmas and a story. Years of our family history hangs delicately on branches illumined with electric candles and bubble lights. Our Family Portfolio of Ornaments includes clothes pin reindeer, an acrylic Cinderella's Castle from Orlando, a variety of churches, sail boats, a tri-plane, a polar bear seated at the computer (with a coke bottle precariously perched by the key board), Renaissance angels, horses, Lucy and the Wardrobe from Chronicles of Narnia, a waltzing couple (from our attempt at ballroom dance), a fleet of assorted vehicles similar to those John hopes to restore, several mini models of the Enterprise, it's bridge, and even Kirk himself seated in the captain's chair. You get the picture. So many memories, there is very little room for any actual Christmas tree balls.
This morning, after a flurry of wrapping presents that had to wait til the last minute, with fresh lemon and poppy seed muffins set on the coffee table, gifts were opened with corresponding "oohs", "ahs", and "Thank yous".
Drew's request for Christmas dinner was served about 2:30 PM: Duck! Not one duck, but two with brown and wild rice stuffing and dripping with orange sauce. Home baked bread on the wood cutting board, whipped garlic potatoes, midget carrots, petite white corn, and Anna's special fresh cranberry sauce nestled in a ring of smooth cottage cheese completed the menu. After commemorative photos, and a heartfelt blessing to the Lord whom we celebrate this day, youthful zest, lively conversation, and a deep sense of satisfaction spread out like the linen across our table. Our house was full again at Christmas. My heart is full with thanksgiving. Thank you Lord!