I have always loved the Christmas season.  As a Christian, I celebrate the birth of Jesus and what it means for everyone who believes in Him.  Because of this first Christmas, and the special gift of love given to us, I enjoy showing that love to others.  For me that includes baking cookies and Christmas pies.  It also includes decorating the Christmas tree (not holiday tree), the Christmas parades in our home town, and listening to Christmas music, (which begins around November 1st) .  I love looking for  a special gift for family and friends.  Then there is the family and friend gatherings to share time and show love to one another.

The middle of December we  returned  to Michigan for the Christmas season.  Not all of our family still live in Michigan.  but, for those who were there, we wanted to share this time with them.  We came home in time to attend some special concerts that our grandchildren were in.  This is Amber’s senior year so it was  her last performance in “Collage ” a Christmas music program presented by PNHS .  It is always such a professionally  presented program that surpasses the normal high school level.  We loved it.

Returning home is tricky when your home is a travel trailer that you winterized and left in Tennessee.  We have a wonderful friend who generously opened her home for us to stay in.  She winters in Florida so we had the whole house to ourselves.  Because of her generosity, we were even able to host two family gatherings . Thanks Carol.  We love you.

Of course spending time with family and friends was the best part of coming home.  Our grandson, Harrison had a four day weekend off because of the holiday.  We were able to pick him up and have him stay with us for a couple days.  On Christmas we spent the day with our family.  We opened presents, ate great food, and played games.  It was a wonderful day.  I also had the opportunity to have dinner with my sisters and Carrie.  We don’t get the chance to see each other that often, so it was very special too.

Carrie,  Gerrie,  Julie,  Jackie

I know that Christmas can be celebrated in many different ways with many different people.  We did that when we lived in Florida and had little family near us.  But, if I have a choice, spending time with my family will always be my first choice.

“Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays. Cause no matter how far away you roam.  If you want to be happy in a million ways.  For the holidays you can’t beat home sweet home!”.

JA