What Happens after Christmas?

We got back last night after a 13 hour drive…Now that is a long drive.  Straight through from Murfreesboro, Tennessee to Waco.  I will remember that drive for two reasons.  First, our daughter Jamie slept almost the entire way.  That is a long nap.  But I will also remember that drive because we were trying to listen to the Cotton Bowl game (Alabama versus Texas Tech) on the radio.  We lived in Alabama almost eight years and my wife grew up there.  So…we really wanted to hear it.  We picked up the game for a from a station out of Little Rock.  Many miles later, we lost the game again.  We finally picked it up again on ESPN out of Dallas and heard the exciting finish.

Now we are home…So what happens after Christmas?

You know.  The tree is put away.  Ornaments and nativity scenes back in their boxes.  The lights are placed into boxes.  Christmas cards stop coming.  Time to go back to work.

Yet, I am not quite the same.  After all, we checked out of our normal routine for a week.  We traveled to Florence, Alabama where my wife is from and later where we live for almost eight years.
We went to Murfreesboro, Tennessee where our newly wed daughter Christine lives with her husband Phillip.

• On Christmas morning, we went to church with my mother-in-law, her first time there after having a stroke a number of months ago.
• The opportunity to spend time with two wonderful brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws.
• Having dinner one night with old friends, people who I rarely get to see but whose loyalty and friendship have been demonstrated again and again.
• An after Christmas day breakfast with old friends.
• The annual football game featuring the cousins (male and female) and the uncles. Keith, Charles and I won this year.  I think we left Andy, Stephanie, and Jamie in the dust.  (Or I would like to think so anyway).
• Seeing a woman and her son at the mall who we knew years ago.  Two people who I have not seen in over 15 years.
• Being with our sweet daughter Christine and her wonderful husband Phillip in their new home.
• Being with Charlotte’s mother as she recuperates from a stroke.
• Seeing my own parents in Dallas on the return trip.

I could go on for a few minutes but I don’t want to bore you.  I just know I am better for these experiences. 

Now it is time to return to work and to familar habits.  Yet, it is not the same.  I am a little different.   I remember once again I am deeply loved by family and friends.  I am thankful for people whose love is constant and whose friendship has lasted decades.