Christmas 2015
We’ve enjoyed — perhaps the better word is endured — some unusual Christmases in the past. The most memorable was the year my husband fell off the roof on December 23 and broke 11 ribs, his back and his forearm. Add internal injuries and you know we spent the Christmas holidays in the intensive care unit. The miracle is that he lived, and that is a Christmas miracle that fills me with gratitude.
This year wasn’t scary, but it was memorable. A wind storm took out our power lines. We were 68 hours, December 24-26, without electricity. The good news is we have a generator, so our little loft home had cold water, and one burner on the stove that functioned. We had lights and heat. All you really need!
Our Christmas dinner for 10 seemed to please most everyone. We enjoyed fried ham slices, white rice, Kraft macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and cookies. I know that seems like a strange combination, but our son declared it the best Christmas dinner ever! (We’ll save the prime rib roast, twice baked potatoes, broccoli casserole, Yorkshire pudding and pie for New Year’s Day.)
So what do you do on a Christmas without your computer, or constant television, or hot showers, or a big turkey roasting in the oven?
Open gifts, of course!
Paint fancy fingernails!
Make your own music!
Kayak on an ice-free bay! (This is only our 3rd green Christmas here in 65 years.)
Snuggle in and be grateful for the gift of Jesus, of family, of shared times, of memories…
I hope your holidays have been wonderful! Happy New Year!
Sue
Even when Christmas can’t be “traditional,” it can still be filled with love, laughter and joy–when you remember the Reason for the Season!
Dear Sue and family. I think you had an old fashion Christmas with a lot of love, warmth and attention. May the new year bring you everything you hope for.
Love Ans
Thank you, Ans and Ruth! I hope your Christmases were wonderful, too!!
We take our city-style conveniences very much for granted until they are removed. Because we have a totally convenience-free northern cabin, we’re accustomed to doing without them, but that’s a deliberate choice. Having them wrenched away right at Christmas is a bit much. It sounds like you made the best of the situation and enjoyed your days anyway.
Our holiday is being spent at our daughter’s rural home. We’ve had regular snow flurries (but no storms) and there is a wood stove to keep us cozy. We *did* have turkey which I love, but anything would have done. The joy was in being together for the annual celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Blessings to you, Sue, and may you and your family enjoy a wonderful New Year (complete with electricity).
Oh Carol, you make me smile. Your Christmas sounds wonderful, too! Love to you and your family!