An act of kindness on Christmas Eve

Oh Dad I miss you terribly.  I just told Lance I missed you so bad and missed hearing your voice.

I have been thinking of Christmases past and there are so many wonderful memories.  I loved the magical side of it.  My Parents never had a lot of money but we always received so many fabulous toys and gifts.  I look back now and wonder how they did it all.  They didn't have a car. they were with us as kids all the time.....I wonder how they had time to do everything.  Oh yeh Santa, that's right :))))

One of the best and most memorable memories happened when I was much older.  It was 16 years ago tonight.......I was a single Mom with 2 very young children.   Natalie was 3 and Kayleigh was 18 months. We lived in a flat/apartment and I don't remember what we were doing exactly when Dad showed up.  He came in and with sincere love and compassion in his eyes, he said "I cannot bear to think of you alone on Christmas Eve".  Rebecca and Jared still lived at home at this point so he knew Mom would be taken care of.  The next morning, Grandad told Natalie and Kayleigh that Santa had left them lots of presents at Grandma's and we had to go over right away. 

That act of kindness has stayed in my heart, and will forever.  Dad was known for always putting others needs above his own.

"We love and miss you Dad"

The cute elderly couple

Today's program at church was wonderful.  I 're-joined' the choir, something I have wanted to do for a while.  Singing Christmas Carols last year would have been impossible for me.  I wouldn't have been able to get through them.  All I could think of last year during Christmas was my Dad laying there helpless and my Mom feeling even more helpless as she looked on.  This year seemed so much easier as I know Dad is no longer suffering and he is in a much better place.  My thoughts are obviously with my Mom.  I cannot even imagine how she really feels.
After the meeting, I saw an elderly couple walking out of church.  I did not recognize them but what I did notice was this cute couple holding hands.  I looked at my Daughter, Kayleigh and said "Oh Kayleigh, I wanted to see my Mom and Dad get to that age together".  My eyes welled up and my friend Natalie was walking up to me with a kleenex at the ready. :)  I learned that the cute elderly couple were her parents.  She knew what I was thinking and gave me a big hug.  Don't you just love friends like that? 
This evening we watched "Mr Kruger's Christmas".  It is a beautiful story of  a lonely man whose life is brightened by the visit of Christmas carolers.  It's a classic.  I watched it many times with my Dad.

"We love and miss you Dad'"