Merry Christmas!!!

It isn't the same without Race here at home to celebrate Christmas with us, but it has still been a good day. I know that he wants us to keep everything the same while he is away. It is the privelege of being able to worship and celebrate that makes his job seem so much more important. The people where he is have neither of those priveleges.

On the Christmas Eve menu tonight was roast tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and carmelizes shallots. I made a wine reduction and we had a nice salad of mixed greens and mushrooms. It was delicious. Later, while they watched A Christmas Carol, the kids had hot mugs of cocoa topped with whipped cream and garnished with candy canes. Just before bedtime we read from the picture book "The First Christmas" by Carol Heyer. It is a wonderful telling of the First Christmas with lovely,thoughtful illustrations.

I didn't really feel lonely until I had to set out all Santa's gifts by myself. Then it hit me. But as I was sitting there thinking of Race and how far apart we are and how much we have always enjoyed this particular part of Christmas for ourselves, I remembered something. And I wanted to write it here so that I would never forget it.

Race and I had decided that we would exchange gifts together at a later time when we could just relax and just enjoy being together. We figured that we'd do some shopping together,have dinner out somewhere nice,... you get the picture. When you live apart for 6 months out of every year, you learn to be flexible and to enjoy the time that you have together whenever you might have it.

Well, the other day a large Fed-Ex box arrived. This wasn't anything that I had ordered and the kids, (having been instructed by their dad in a phone call or email or something) sprung into action.They whisked the box away and wrapped it's contents and placed the gifts under the tree with tags that read :To MOM, From: Dad.

A few days later, Race called! I was so excited and went on to spill all the things that we had been doing....the Christmas show, The Nutcracker, all the parties, etc.I remebered the Christmas gifts.
ME: " You really didn't have to do that."

Race: "I know"

Me: Seriously, I mean I know that I've been a good girl and all, but you didn't have to go to all the trouble from THERE."

Race: "I know. I know I didn't. (in a quiet tone) But....I just love you so much."

Well, somebody come and mop me up, cause I just melted into a big ole' Melissa puddle. I love that man.

Merry Christmas Race! We love you, be safe, and come home soon.