A Wonderful Christmas Day Surprise

There is something special

about Christmas Day.

Even when one doesn't care 

for all the stress and pressures

to do this and that,

the heart longs for connectivity,

peace, and joy with loved ones.

And I know Jesus was not born

on this day we call "Christmas".

I know He really cares more 

that we remember His death,

burial and resurrection - 

His blood poured out for us

and His body broken for us.

These things are important

to consider in plans and preparations.

This year, for the first time

in our lives, we moved to a different state.

It's new to us here.

We planned to have dinner together 

as a family and make the most of it.

I got up early to prepare the turkey.

Trying hard to remember 

how a friend had prepared hers 

a couple years ago

because hers turned out so moist,

I placed it in the oven.

The ginger pancake mix 

I bought the night before at Trader Joes

was accidentally mixed 

with much water and I had to improvise 

with bisquick and eggs.

I laughed at my simple "add water

to a box mix" mess up.

But the pancakes turned out edible

and at least the sausage I managed

to cook just fine.

We enjoyed some holiday tunes

streaming through Pandora as we ate.

We opened a present from friends

who we had joined the night before

for a candlelight service at

Kendall Presbyterian.

Yummy chocolates and unexpected

blessing of money in the envelope.

God knows our needs.

Children opened gift for each of them.

They smiled and enjoyed theirs.

Then came a call on my iPhone.

Familiar voice on the other end

shared that their family was in town

and asked if we'd like to get together.

And I, with big dinner being prepared,

excitedly invited them over to share

this meal with us.

We agreed on a time.

Oh how thrilled to know 

we were having guests

from our home town!!

These precious people 

are the family 

of my daughters good friend Jessica

at Goshen Middle School.

We'd exchanged encounters

as our daughters would spend time

together.

They arrived and we walked out

of our building to greet them

on this warm, breezy and humid day.

My home was extra clean

because having guests

always motivates everyone.

The sliding door was wide open

and the breezes flowed.

We pulled the casseroles from the oven

and my husband carved the turkey

and put the juicy pieces in a tray.

Us ladies got out the glasses 

and decided how to double 

the paper plates.

The five children sat at the table 

and adults sat on the couch.

We gathered and prayed.

Then the bustle of children

filling plates and the ensuing silence

as they ate.

Adults filling plates 

and my assurance to them to

not be shy with the food 

and to fill it up high.

All so hungry from skipping lunch,

the food on plates did not last long.

Conversations flowed

and laughter from children's table.

After dinner, kids bellies happy and full,

we went for a walk toward the City Hall

building that is rich with history.

This building was originally the site

of the romantic PanAm Airlines.

This is the building 

where stylish passengers would embark

on journeys South toward Latin America

on big sea planes.

So we love taking people who visit 

to see this place.

Behind this building lays Biscayne Bay

and the wharf full of boats of all kinds

and sailboats that were decorated

with Christmas lights.

We chatted almost non-stop

as we walked.

The night air 

was the perfect temperature

we remarked.

Back home we enjoyed 

an after dinner espresso 

and chatted some more.

We talked of days gone by

and how people used to do

this very thing -

converse with one another

on a variety of topics.

Nowadays, important social skills

are traded for the entertainment

of TV and it was truly rare

to hang out with this dear couple

and talk about things.

As bellies full and hearts too,

and the feeling of a full day 

was making us all sleepy,

we enjoyed a choice 

of Christmas movie on Netflix

and it was really a good one.

Some children joined us

while others played in side rooms.

Lastly, a little music played on dulcimer

and kids all played too,

bringing their unique sound

as hammers fell on random notes.

Hard to say goodbye 

as couple leave with sweet children

but reassurances were given

to call us anytime and come 

join us again anytime!

Thanks friends for making our day special.

This is a Christmas we will not

soon forget!