Since early this year, our family has planned and anticipated our Christmas Vacation. Our immediate family (me, hubby, 3 kids, 2 spouses, 6 grandkids) hit the road the day after Christmas to ski in New Mexico. Being the planner I am, every contingency was accounted for, or so I thought.
What I didn’t plan for was:
- Medical (pneumonia, flu, ear infection, sprains);
- A husband who “packed” above and beyond what I had packed (all of our food, every game we owned, the guitar, the karaoke machine);
- Leaving 12 hours before schedule on Christmas Day (an “adventure” my dear husband called it, with only three places open from Dallas to Amarillo);
- Arriving in Amarillo at midnight after I said I would settle for a stable to sleep in;
- Being pulled over by Texas DPS (my husband has a lead foot. Fortunately, his “line” worked once again, and we continued on our merry way with only a warning.);
- When we get to New Mexico, no cell phone, no internet (eek! … what will I do?);
- Then a transformer blew so electricity went out in our cabin;
- And did I mention the mountains? … These mountains must have grown, because they are far bigger and steeper than I remember (or maybe I’m not as young or fit as I once was).
But every “complaint” listed above is trivial. What’s important is the view from the top of the mountain … the look in our grandkids’ eyes as they learn to ski and play in snow … to be around family as we reminisce … to listen to a 14-month-old talk on the remote control as if it’s a telephone … and being thankful that as hard as the journey is going up the mountain, the view from the top and the walk down is well worth it.
This past week reminded me of another journey 2000 years ago to Bethlehem. As hard as it was for Mary and Joseph, that trip turned out pretty well. Thank you, Lord!
Tagged: Christmas, grandchildren, marriage
