Merry
Christmas!
I am laying
on my bed in Palm Desert looking out at the gorgeous mountain view. I am so grateful to be here. Having been in Hawaii for the last couple of
years the routine of ‘where to go for Christmas’ has gotten a bit thrown
off. Changes in life or situation can do
that. I’m down here visiting my “other
parents”… my parents in-love. They are
my former husband’s parents and we have a very special relationship. They are precious to me and when they asked
if I would like to come for Christmas I was overjoyed! The first year in Hawaii I got to fly home
for Christmas which was great because my Mother was here from the Netherlands
and we actually had Christmas. The
second year my parents in-love came to Hawaii and flew me over to Oahu for the
week. We had a blast. But this year I was at a loss… without my Mom
at home we wouldn’t actually have a dinner at our house. My grandparents are all gone so there is
nowhere to go in that aspect. My oldest brother goes to his in-laws, my
second brother tends to go to my Dad’s, and I have no idea where my third
brother goes but he’s got a woman and probably goes to my Dad’s too… So, I was thrilled to come to PD. My ex and I came here for Christmas many of
our married years and it definitely feels like Christmas. A warm Christmas,
YEAH!!!!!
Yesterday
for Christmas Day we drove to L.A. to an Aunt and Uncles. There were all of the family members of my
former husband and I wondered a bit how they would feel with me being there and
certainly would never want to offend.
Everyone was so nice. In all
honestly, I could tell they didn’t all know who I was, hahahaha. After all it’s been at least 3 or 4 years
since I’ve seen them and I look totally different now. (Short hair and glasses) One cousin completely didn’t recognize me and
called me, “Hollywood.” Umm, no… but
thanks! I said, “Well I certainly don’t
have a Hollywood paycheck.” It was so
amazing to connect with them again and had wondered honestly if I would ever
even see them again. It was so
great.
A highlight
of the week was the blessing of buying my new 4Runner!! woot woot. Anyone who knows me well knows that the
Tacoma that I drove for 11 years was well loved by me and selling it in HI was
something I never thought I would do- but I needed the money for medical bills
and God orchestrated the timing so I have been without a car for the last six
months. I had my Mom’s car to drive when
needed, but how humbling it is to not have your own vehicle.
It’s quite a
story, but one long enough for its own blog, so I won’t go into details now… I
just want to say how grateful I am to have this AWESOME car, fully loaded, and
be totally spoiled by God’s favor.
Today we
will relax as it has been a completely full week, my poor body! hehe (when did
I get this old?) and tonight we will go to “The Festival of Lights.” I hope we get one more chance to go to our
favorite restaurant, “Don Diego’s in Indian Wells.” The only thing lacking is me getting a
margarita there! With my health in the
last several months I have not been drinking at all. It’s just not beneficial or worth it.
I pray
everyone had a great Christmas. It’s
such an intense time of year. I always
think of those who are homeless, or cold and don’t know where their next meal
is coming from. Those who have kids and
no money for gifts- how I pray they know the true meaning of Christmas. I see how someone who is loved by so many can
still end up alone on Christmas Day and know how easy it is to feel
lonely. I think of those who are
infertile but are forced to face all of their little nieces and nephews running
around. It’s just a tough time of year
for so many and I pray that they may know comfort. These are the things I am grateful for as I
remember Jesus being born in a manger. A
manger! Just feet from cow poop!!! All for me.
All for each of the people I just described. For ALL of us. How grateful I am to know it, to have the
ability to embrace it, to walk in it every day.
Merry
Christmas, Friends. Happy New Year-
2015.
