The stockings were hung
By the front door with care
In hopes that Kate was finally out of those orange-flavored Crest sample tubes of toothpaste.
We once again gathered at the cabins at Lake Darling State Park for Christmas. We last did this four years ago in 2017 and had a wonderful time. We didn't know then what trials and separations the next four years would bring. The next two years, a diagnoses of cancer to my beloved husband along with appointments, treatments, and life-changing decisions would color our lives and pervade our communications and get togethers. There were bright spots--three grandchildren graduated, two married, and a new great-granddaughter, but it was a long hard time. The next two years began with the loss of my husband and continued with the onslaught of Covid. Working from home, isolation, and online classes became the rule of the day.
So it was with great hope that we planned this get together and with great hope we will go forward. All of our family came except one granddaughter and her husband, who are youth ministers in Alabama and had Christmas duties at their church. I realize that with most of the grandchildren in their 20s and 30s, this may be the last holiday we will come that close. There will be jobs, in-laws, and other demands that will prevent a full gathering. So I especially cherished this time.
By the front door with care
In hopes that Kate was finally out of those orange-flavored Crest sample tubes of toothpaste.
We once again gathered at the cabins at Lake Darling State Park for Christmas. We last did this four years ago in 2017 and had a wonderful time. We didn't know then what trials and separations the next four years would bring. The next two years, a diagnoses of cancer to my beloved husband along with appointments, treatments, and life-changing decisions would color our lives and pervade our communications and get togethers. There were bright spots--three grandchildren graduated, two married, and a new great-granddaughter, but it was a long hard time. The next two years began with the loss of my husband and continued with the onslaught of Covid. Working from home, isolation, and online classes became the rule of the day.
So it was with great hope that we planned this get together and with great hope we will go forward. All of our family came except one granddaughter and her husband, who are youth ministers in Alabama and had Christmas duties at their church. I realize that with most of the grandchildren in their 20s and 30s, this may be the last holiday we will come that close. There will be jobs, in-laws, and other demands that will prevent a full gathering. So I especially cherished this time.
We had four cabins for three nights, plus rented the lodge for Christmas Day. We collaborated on menus and tried to keep it simple. Arrival night would be build your own pizzas, Christmas Eve a taco bar, and Christmas Day a couple of pasta dishes and some soups. My sons, son-in-law, and grandsons did much of the cooking, which was delightful and much appreciated. And of course snacks: cheese and crackers, cookies, candy, chips, dips, and other goodies seemed to appear at every turn.
Everyone wanted to know if I was bringing the stockings. Finding small and sometimes silly gifts to add has always been a big part of our holiday. By Christmas Eve, they were stuffed with sentimental things, lottery tickets, Scotch tape, chapsticks, toothbrushes, hand santizer, etc. A month ago, I happened to find a small collection of coins in my husband's things: six Sacajawea dollars (three children and spouses), five Kennedy half-dollars (five grandsons), and three Susan B Anthony dollars (three granddaughters). Into the stockings they went.
The cabins did present a few challenges. Renters have always been required to bring their own bedding and towels. With the onset of Covid, all of the dishes and silverware were removed. I knew that and added a tote of plastic dishes, silverware and paper plates, but forgot that there were no cooking utensils. So, in spite of the fact that we arrived with all of our cars packed to the hilt, there were trips to the dollar store in nearby Brighton for big spoons and spatulas and --oh! for heaven's sake, bring back a can opener!
The weather was phenomenal. We got in several walks and stood around a campfire on Christmas Eve Day. It is dark enough there that the sky at night put on an incredible display of stars. And the sunsets at Lake Darling are usually spectacular.
It was three days with no TV and no internet, but lots of laughs, cards, games, and puzzles. The first puzzle produced was a 2000 piecer of the Eiffel Tower with mostly dark blue sky behind it. It was not completed. Fortunately I received a little less challenging one that we (mostly the grandchildren) completed on Christmas day.
There was also the usual white elephant gift exchange with some real 'winners'. And a new activity just added was 'Human Hungry Hippo." One persons lays on a skateboard on their stomach while their partner steers them around by their legs to try and grab as many colored balls as they can. A third partner bags the balls as they are grabbed. No chins or noses were injured in the process.
Of course, the best part was time with kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids whom I have not seen nearly enough of in recent times. A special treat was Tuan (Scott) who recently returned from service in Kuwait with the Iowa National Guard, as well as meeting his girlfriend for the first time--a delightful young woman who is a good enough sport to tolerate and join in to all of this insanity. Also Steven was on leave from Camp Pendleton. And of course, a visit from oldest granddaughter Brooke provided that necessary Christmas ingredient--small kids. Five-year old Olivia whirled through the crowd applying her new play makeup to any adult who sat still long enough and using her Scotch tape to bandage imaginary wounds. Her two-year-old sister Jordyn tried to keep up. All in all, a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas to all!
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