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I Need More Christmas Than Just This

Today, we were at our daughter’s home. We were visiting and some of the children were across the street at a neighbor’s house. The children came back and forth. We watched one come in to take off her shoes. Our twin girl was upset and her dad took her to the garage and they brought out the wreath to put on the door. Eventually, she fell into the pool when she was trying to get a ball and needed a shower. Then, our six year old grandson came running to the door. As he entered the door, he called out, “I need more Christmas than just this!”

How profound! I thought about how I felt. This year, it seems we all need a little Christmas. Even before Thanksgiving, we had neighbors who had put up their Christmas lights. It was hard, but I waited until the traditional Friday after Thanksgiving to turn ours on even though they have been on the house and bushes since last week.

I love driving into our neighborhood where the Christmas lights greet us. Yesterday afternoon, I went back to the office to help my husband with a project and we left after dark. I was in my car. I turned on the radio to the station I knew was playing Christmas carols (they started before Thanksgiving as did DishNetwork radio). I was tired and contemplative as I listened. Then, I noticed as I do each year, how the “street lights, even stop lights blink a bright red and green”* and I thought “It feels like Christmas time.”

Then, I noticed the lights, just a hint from the road, but as I got closer to the turn, I saw them all. They are simple yet elegant, and they brought peace to me.

How many times I think about how we are connected. Just as the lights are connected to one another on each string, we are connected to one another. There are many colors of lights, just as each of us has our own unique characteristics. One light alone is pretty, but when they work together, they are magnificent; when we work together, we are powerful. We bring calm to the chaos going on in the world. We bring peace to one another. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about…”peace, goodwill toward men*”? I hope you have peace in your life.

*song: Silver Bells by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans; scripture is found in Kings James version of the Holy Bible, Luke 2:14

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Stitches!

Recently, our family and Karin’s family were helping to clean the church. Our four year old granddaughter tripped as she was running and was bleeding as she came down the hall toward the kitchen where we were putting away the cleaning supplies and getting ready to leave. Her head hit the chair rail and she was required to have stitches and has a nasty bruise on her cheek.

I immediately called her doctor’s office and the doctor stitched her wound. He was so good with her. He covered her eye with a guaze pad so that she would not see him stitching her eyebrow. He talked her through the whole procedure.

I came in part way through and she was so brave. She hardly flinched as he anesthetized the skin.

I am amazed. Her mother and I were more anxious. We winced. I left before the procedure was completed and prayed for my daughter to have the strength that she needed.

I was surprised, when I first became a grandparent, how connected I am with my grandchildren. I knew I would love them, but was not prepared for the intensity of the feelings for the child of my child. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father wants us to be connected as families. I love being with my family!

Connecting with our grandchildren is an important part of being a grandparent. There is a feeling of safety from having grandparents who love you and take time to listen.

What can you do today to connect with one of your grandchildren?