What an amazing day! I woke to the not so subtle request of my daughter shouting from her crib, "Daddy, I want up NOW!" Somehow, a demand never sounded so sweet. So, armed with a fully charged video camera, my wife and I began our Christmas day.
My parents flew to Nashville from Chicago mid-morning, and after a quick trip to and from the airport, Nanny and Poppy were reunited with their granddaughter. And the spoiling began... The amount of gifts given and received in our living room was a sight to see. I am quite sure it exceeded some sort of legal limit, or maybe a zoning violation.
And if the mountain of gifts didn’t quite stretch from floor to ceiling, the wealth of wrapping paper and boxes piled a mile high, and at one point I think I had to pull one of the kids out from an avalanche of green and red.
My two brothers, their wives, and kids arrived mid-afternoon filling the house with laughter, and poopy diapers. To see three little ones, all within 7 months of each other in age ripping through presents was so much fun. And as I had been warned by many parents ahead of me, it turned out to be true that Lulu would be more interested in the box or the bubble tape, than the actual gift itself. Such is life.
My wife made an incredible meal, turkey, ham, and a table full of goodness. (I handled the carving of the turkey (and the eating of it…) Together we laughed and ate, and celebrated this wonderful holiday as a family. Three generations together at the same table. For that, I am so grateful this Christmas.
And tonight, all is quiet. Lulu is on her way to dream about how Santa came to visit her house, (or was it daddy in a recently purchased Claus costume?) Tonight, I want to savor what just happened. Tonight, I want thinking about how what a beautiful experience it is when laughter and joy fill a house. Tonight I am aware that the Giver of Joy unspeakable is the reason we were gathered today. Today I remember the humble birth of a savior, and I myself am humbled by such a sacrifice.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
-mw
