The Greatest Gift of All

December 26, 2008

What a beautiful Christmas Day! I was reflecting this morning of a Christmas Day that I might have enjoyed more than Christmas 2008. As I strolled back through the years I found many memories that produced fondness, and joy. There were memories of smells, tastes, feelings, nostalgia and much more. So what was it that made this year so special? There were certainly elements of this Christmas that are hardly perfect. My youngest daughter and her husband, their dog Wally and our granddaughter that will be born in April….the delightful Baby M was not with us on Windridge Drive. They were over 6000 miles away and for all practical purposes, alone in a place that only recognizes the day as a holiday rather than a celebration of the birth of our savior. Our gift giving historically has seen more profitable years and our country may never have seemed more stressed and anxious. So what was it that made this year special?

I call back the sounds and images of yesterday. I remember feeling pleasure that I was able to have my list of accomplishments completed thanks to some late nights and a Christmas Eve all nighter. I smile at that. It is something I am often scolded for but I only feel it a price well spent as I reap the profits of feeling compelled to finish. When the children started arriving, I was able to sit with them and chat instead of scurrying about trying to “ finish up”.

I was able to enjoy the excitement of trip after trip of “car unloading” and the careful placement of all the treasures presented on this day of gift giving.

The Christmas Tree loaded with presents

It was nice to work together with the girls as we organized the food offerings in the selected spots and exclaim over each dish and recipe.

Larry and the guys looked appropriately busy, a ploy I have discovered, that keeps them out of harms way.

We had TWO phone calls from Missy & Wes in Australia! Everyone got a chance to talk and ask questions as the phone was passed around for an hour each time. In spirit they were not alone at all…but among us…laughing and talking loudly with excitement as our numbers grew.

Talking to Missy

My parents, granny & papaw, were able to share the day with us. It was a special treat for everyone and we were thankful health and the weather cooperated to bring them to us. Their participation gave the gift of tying the young ones to generations past. It gave us all the imprint in our memory of their smiles, wit and dignity and role modeled, as the elders of our group, how to fill these important shoes someday.

Papaw & Granny

When the gift exchange time came, somehow my homemade efforts and small purchased offerings made me feel proud…that God had gifted me with ways to offer tokens of my love.

Josh runs a car up the living room wall!
Love was really the guest on Christmas. It flowed between us and was the honored host through out the day. Each bit of sharing and laughing and fellowship was proof and bore witness to Love’s existence. As I remember each face I find I cherish most of all that we each came for one sole purpose… to be together and in doing so exchanged the greatest gift of all…our love.

This Christmas may you hear God’s love
through the Christ Child, His Word of Love.
“The Word became flesh and lived among us.” John 1:14
Wishing you a Season of Peace!

Goodbye November

It is hard to believe I have already been home a month! After a week of feeling a good bit of jet lag I began to get back into the swing of things. Good thing because I had much to do!

Election Day
The day after I returned was election day and I wasn't about to miss that! It is my privilege as an American citizen to make my vote count. It is a choice too. In Australia voting is required, so I appreciated having the freedom to choose. After casting our votes...Larry and I returned home to watch the drama play out... Obama was not my choice but I guess as Sarah Palin said.... the people have spoken.


Our AnniversaryNov. 6th was our anniversary and we went to our favorite place, St Martins on lower Greenville, to celebrate our 38 years... It was a beautiful evening and so wonderful to be able to celebrate that with my honey. I had my favorite... filet mignon with champagne brie soup and some beautiful vegetables...and....key lime pie for dessert. Larry had the scallops that he loves there. All and all a very nice evening.











off to a romantic dinner

The Wedding
The rest of the month was mostly devoted to our godson's wedding. We sent out invitations to a couple's shower we were hosting for them before I left...so there was preparation for that right away. The first Saturday I was home I attended a bridal luncheon for the bride to be at a lovely tea room... It was nice to meet Krystal's family and friends and spend some time with the groom's mother and grandmother who I am very close to.











Bridal Luncheon










Ann & Elaine


Veterans DayWe also took the time during out busy schedule to go to a Veterans Day program at our grandson Justin's school. Never too busy for a grandchild. :-) Larry was honored as a Vietnam vet and that was really special to share that with Justin who was very proud.









Our daughter Lara, Larry & Justin


The PartyThe following Saturday we hosted a dinner party for them and that was such fun. They had a nice crowd of friends and family who all came together to bless this young couple with love and gifts. Larry prayed a prayer of blessing over their upcoming marriage and we feasted on homemade chili rellenos, frijoles, pork tacos and blackberry and peach cobbler.









Elaine & Larry with Michael & Krystal


Rehersal Dinner
Next was the rehearsal dinner at the Bavarian Grill. YUM! We had schnitzel, and dumplings and other wonderful German food... Of course there was the chicken dance and singing and dancing to the accordion with toasts to the wedding couple.













Chicken Dance










Elaine & Ann
with our German waitress



Wedding Day!
What a beautiful day it was! The ceremony was performed by Michael's grandfather and our long time priest Fr. Ted and two other priests assisted. It was such a sweet and happy service... I created them a slide presentation as our present for them and it played through the entire reception... ( you can view it on http://wildirishflower.blogspot.com/ ) They loved that....and loved having everyone there to enjoy their happiness. It was truly a joyful day!










with our godson and his bride


























The Nelsons
Gran & Pa













Mom, Gran & flowergirls
Brianna & Kimberly










Enjoying this special day













Thanksgiving






was just days away....and I hadn't done a thing to prepare for it with all the month's excitement! Larry and I shopped for our ingredients so we would be prepared for cooking day. I do most of mine on the Wednesday before but he prepares his on Thanksgiving morning.... He is the turkey master and when I say master....I mean careful preparation. I had to watch the Good Eats chef with him on turkey prep and baking... We also have the book thanks to our son Josh. The end result was a beautiful turkey and my dressing and sweet potato casserole, pecan and lemon pies turned out pretty good too. Everyone else brought the rest of our meal and it was a wonderful feast and we were truly thankful that we were able to be together to share it. Missy and Wes called and we passed the phone around so everyone could talk and wish them Happy Thanksgiving. It is not celebrated there as a holiday but Missy and Wes had 6 people over on the weekend and treated them to an American Thanksgiving Feast.











Gathering for prayer










Jeff & Dee Dee, Lara & James & Luisa










Johnathan & Josh










Katelyn, Jimmy & Pierson










Ashton & Justin










Johnathan & Sassy


Thanks giving kicks off the holidays.... and we enter into that time of expectation
of the birth of the Christ Child.
















This Christmas may you hear God’s love through the Christ Child, His Word of Love.
“The Word became flesh and lived among us.” John 1:14

Wishing you a Season of Peace!

Elaine & Larry

Deep in the Heart of Texas

The stars at night are big and bright....










Yes, I made it back home safe and sound to the great state of Texas! I am at my home computer desk and bless Wes, he has his trusty laptop back in his possession now.... :-) Little Sassy is curled up behind me in her old spot in my computer chair and she is a happy Sassy to have me back home.


Away from home computer spot...

thanks to Wes





















Home computer spot







The Trip


After a sad good bye to Wes, Missy & Wally ( who was on his way to the vet's for a suspicious looking bite... more later on this ) I was off to the airport with Missy. I muscled my two wheeled bags, my wheeled carry on & 2nd carry on...disguised as a purse.....like a pro traveler, got through the Australian protocol...found my gate and settled down to coffee and a macadamia nut something or other. That was my first chance to get a good look at the monster that would be flying me back home to Texas. I suppose all the people at the window taking pictures of it was what got my attention. I made my way over to the glass to take a closer look. It sat there all alone prestigious in the grooming and attention it commanded. I felt like a NASA astronaut waiting to board the vehicle of my destiny.










A little about this monster..... It is the largest and most technically advanced aircraft ever built. It is the A380. It is quieter, more efficient...and more powerful than any of the largest jets built today. It is also the most green in emissions and environmental friendly safety measures.


It is LARGEST jet I have ever personally seen... and it was ready to launch me into outer space!! Before I knew it though I was finding my seat in the monster.....and discovering the amenities. It had all the bells and whistles... Personal movie screen ( not a tiny one either ) with games and other entertainment venues, a large comfy seat, roomy personal space and everything was brand new. It even had the new smell. I liked it! It was a very powerful take off. You are immediately impressed at it's command of the runway. It was very smooth though and probably the best flight I have ever taken. The food was good too....and contrary to the trend on most American carriers.... they were offering you food, snacks and something to drink about every hour....or less! Due to a flight cancellation on another LA bound jet, the row I thought I had to myself was also occupied by two men. They turned out to be nice and very courteous. That means they didn't try to talk to me, they were gone alot ( it is a large jet and you are encouraged to roam both levels....and visit the snack bar or lounge ) , they always made sure I didn't miss any of the zillions of hand outs and stayed out of my personal space. :-)


After watching a couple of movies....dinner and many snacks...I took a sleep aid and slept until daylight. I was amazed that there was only 3 hours left of flight when I woke up! It was a whirlwind in LA and before I knew it I was touching down at DFW. Home!



It was a wonderful reunion with Larry and he zipped me off to a Mexican Restaurant where we talked our heads off over Mexican food and happy hour margaritas.












Driving down Wynn Joyce street felt wonderful again....and soon my little Sassy Belle was hopping and leaping around....so happy to see me again. I sent an email to Missy to let her know I had arrived safely and we settled down to seeing all the things I brought home from my far away visit.








a hug from Sassy

Larry taking it all in

After catching up on a little news about the elections and nodding through a bit of Saturday Nite Live with Larry I finally headed off to bed. I was amazed that I slept all night! Daylight and Sassy woke me up feeling surprisingly rested. I guess with all those prayers I shouldn't have been though. :-) I answered a few email and Larry & I headed to the polls to cast our votes.

Sassy in my chair. Does that look say....and where have you been! :-)

Thank you again for your wonderful prayers....and for taking my journey with me....

May the " Son " smile on you today!

Blessings, Elaine

ps: Before I left for home....Wally managed to devour at least 1/2..maybe more...of my HUGE Cadbury Chocolate bar....and get bit by a possum. I am not kidding! He had to have his stomach pumped for the chocolate...they said it was more than a lethal dog dose. He would have gone into renal failure in about 24 hours! Oh btw...Wally managed to not only get into my big bag ( purse ).... but he had to partially unzip the thing to get the chocolate! As for the possum bite.... one thing Wally loved to do was go in those deep shrub like trees and worry those possum by barking at them after dark.

Judging by the big cone to keep Wally from bothering his bite...I guess the Possums let him know they didn't like that.... I guess all things considered.... it was the price poor ole Wally paid for some guy fun...