My Christmas List ….
It’s different this year. Years ago my brothers and I would get the catalogs and magazines out and start making a list. All the things we wanted. Mine included a Daisy BB Gun, HO car tracks, electric trains, a little lawn mower (at 3 I said ‘jittle john mower’) and I guess all the stuff that little boys dream of. I got all those things but I also got socks, t shirts and much needed items that I didn’t think was appropriate for Christmas but when that happened I just smiled, said ‘Thank You’ like my mother taught me and went and found the toys that I did get.
I clearly remember family times together. It takes on a surreal feeling as I think about it now. My grandparents (Nana and Popo) would open the house and my WHOLE family gathered. Mom, Dad, us boys, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and some extras that would come by at other times. This involved lots of presents (1 for everyone from everyone) so at times we were carrying in lots of gifts to put under the tree. Food was prepared, served, eaten and cleaned up around a huge table amid lots of laughter and anticipation to the moment that we started opening gifts.
My grandmother would want to see what everyone got so it was not a free for all when the time finally came. It was orderly, youngest to oldest and we egged each other to ‘hurry up’ as it got closer to our turn. It took hours. I remember that like it was last year at this time but we don’t do that anymore. Grandparents are gone, Dad is gone and family is not anywhere near each other this time of year. We are scattered among Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and maybe a few more places in between.
My list now does not really have the things I want anymore either. Our pastor delivered a message a couple of weeks ago that gave me a new perspective. I am working on a list of things I already have. Things I am grateful for instead of more stuff I won’t or can’t remember in a few years.
While those times with my family at my Grandparents are memorable, the things I got aren’t. I do remember a couple of things but there were labors of love (hand made bullet trap from my Popo who taught me to shoot) or something funny (a roll of toilet paper with bawdy pictures that made the circuit year after year).
I do remember my uncle Terry and uncle Richard throwing the rolls to each other across the table or the jokes told and laughed at or the food my grandmother made with such pleasure. She loved having all of us there all at once and around the same table that my grandfather added a room to the house between the kitchen and the garage that was big enough to hold a table that we could all fit around. I remember as many as 25-30 people there at Christmas. We were truly blessed by that and it is on my list to be together as much as we can at this time of year.
My family in Georgia is now made up of me, Susan, David and Tracy with Andrew, Mike and Raechel and Stephen. We have friends and plan to get together and enjoy some food, drink and fellowship together. There will be phone calls or maybe Skype calls or video chats. It is what I look forward to now. So here is my list. It’s not complete by any means but I hope and pray that it will get you started on your own list. A list of gratitude and things we have by the Grace of God.
- Jesus – my Savior and Lord. It is by Him and His sacrifice that I can even make the rest of the list
- Susan – my wife of over 30 years. We have a new life in front of us together with major changes in our weight, health and activities. I can’t imagine what it would be like without her, my best friend.
- David – my oldest son who has been a pleasure to watch grow and mature into a man. A great Daddy. Patient, quiet and focused.
- Tracy – his wife and mother of my first grandson. She is an awesome mother and I love seeing her. Joyful, patient and full of grace.
- Andrew John – Grandson that I love dearly. Made all the sleep lost and stress in keeping his dad alive worth it 🙂 Loud, laughter and quick to understand.
- Mike – my middle son who has done an extraordinary job in moving from home to college to career as a professional tennis coach. He is working at what he loves and I can’t be more proud of him. Humor, grace and sincere.
- Raechel – Mike’s fiancee and a blessing to me to see someone that makes Mike so happy. She is going to fit right in this crazy bunch. Quiet, smiles and fun.
- Stephen – my youngest who is most of the way through his undergrad degree at UGA (go dawgs!!). He has maintained his grades, works hard and when he calls me about money it is usually to tell me he has enough. How cool is that 🙂 I am proud of the man he is becoming. Thoughtful, quiet and centered.
- 12Stone Church – a place that can do great work for our community (feed 5000), reach the ones far from Christ and give a platform for more churches to reach even more. Hamilton Mill, Flowery Branch and now Sugarloaf campuses are open and filling up fast. We are thankful for God’s blessing on us.
- I have books to read, music to listen to and more than I need for food, clothing and shelter. I believe if you live in the United States you ARE part of the 1%. Stop focusing on what you don’t have and be grateful for what you do. Life is better if you do that.
- My business is gathering momentum again and I have the best clients. The market is recovering and lenders are working with us much better than before. Foreclosures are falling and housing seems to have stabilized.
- Friends and extended family abound and I am blessed in conversation and laughter. My brothers (Ken and Phillip), Mom and aunts, uncles and cousins that we can still talk with and connect to.