Gifts

This was an interesting holiday season. The weather was terrible cold. We had a blizzard just days before and while family were travelling here. A big majority of those that came got the flu. In spite of all of that, I think we had a pretty good time. Lots of food. Time together. And a time of giving.
This year I was overwhelmed by gifts I received.
One of the young ladies that I work with had a very nice camera that she let me borrow once and offered to sell me a couple of months ago. I was telling her that I loved it, but I would have to convince Sharlene that it was something "we" wanted to get. We had talked about getting a new camera but nothing had been decided. Well, I was telling Teena (the young lady) that I was working on Sharlene, but I did not think the job was going to get done. Little did I know, but she had been talking to Teena too. And on Christmas morning there next to my stocking was this beautiful camera. I was shocked. I still am. It is so beautiful. Thank you so much Sharlene!
I also got quite a gift from Becky. Each year I give many in my family a corn cob. Dad had told me many years ago that his father had given him and his brother Vaughn a corn cob or a lump of coal at Christmas. So, several years ago I began to give corn cobs. Then I changed things and began to not just wrap up a cob and put it under the tree. Now, I am not an artist, and my creatations are maybe even crude, but I have made Barbie and Ken Cobs, corn cob light houses, corn cob christmas trees, corn cob flag poles, corn cobs commerating engagements with little rings on each cob and several other things. My niece Becky usually has a special cob to give back to me. I have been given a cob family, a koozie cob and other things. This year Becky and Jason got me an ear of corn that had been carved from a log with a chain saw. It is about 3 feet tall and is amazing. What a gift!

My Mom worked hard to give everyone a gift that was something from Grandpa. She put a lot of thought and love in each gift.
Because many were sick, I think I got another gift of being able to get to do a little extra in the kitchen for our Christmas dinner. I really enjoyed being in the kitchen.
It was a gift for my Mom to have as many as possible home with her this year. She had a great time having all around.
I had a very special gift to have a little granddaughter for the first time at my house at Christmas. She brings so much happiness to her Mommy and Dad and all of us who get to touch and be touched by her.
I think we had a gift from God that Jordan made it to us safely. The weather as I said was not cooperating and we thought his journey would be "iffy." Well, he was doing pretty well until he hit some ice near Stockton and slid off the road. Everyone, including the car was fine, just needed to be pulled back on the road and set on his way.
"Things" sometimes make the vision cloudy. When that vision is clear we understand that the things, the gifts, that are so special are those safe journeys, the blessing of family near and being able to give to someone else.
Thanks everyone for a wonderful time and your generousity and to God for blessing us all with more than we know.