Gifts

I was 16 years old when I experienced one of my most memorable Christmases.  It was Christmas Eve when I woke up to a blustery snowstorm.  Snowstorm days were my favorite kind of days.  It meant romping around outside in the snow drifts and snowmobile outings with my friends for great adventures together.   It also meant time sipping hot chocolate and cozying up to watch movies next to the warm fireplace. 

Our family tradition meant going to the Christmas Eve service at the Little Log Church and coming home to a meal specially prepared by my mom.  Our local grocery store was only about three miles down the road.  And this particular Christmas, my mom sent my dad off in our four wheel drive Jeep early in the morning to pick up her brisket and a few other last-minute items.  

It was snowing pretty hard, but my dad confidently drove off in our Jeep along with Kate, who was 9 years old at the time.  He didn't stop to worry about the deep snowdrifts on the road home.

It's hard to remember and even imagine how this could happen, but somehow, between the time my dad arrived at the store, shopped, and was ready to head home, the snowstorm made the road unmanageable.  Even our 4-wheel drive Jeep couldn't plow through.

Luckily for my dad and sister, our good friends lived close by the store, and somehow my dad made his way to their house.  Home was just one more mile up the hill, and yet, he was stuck. 

I well remember that Christmas Eve day and all the phone calls between my dad and mom, who were trying to figure out solutions to get my dad and sister home.  First, my dad thought he could walk the mile uphill with my sister.  He tried and failed.  The snow was up to my dad's waist and over my sister's head.   Some other friends tried to drive their snowmobile to fetch my dad and sister.  But the snow was too wet. 

There were two gifts I received that Christmas.  As much as our family wanted to be together, I have such special memories of a Christmas Eve with just my mom and me.  I don't remember what we ate, but I remember sitting all evening in our living room with the tree lights on and the fire going strong.  My mom was in her pink robe, and I was in my pajamas, and we chatted together, lamented our situation, and ate popcorn together.  What I remember most is a feeling of warmth and love and companionship—the two of us together—missing my dad and sister and missing our usual traditions.  But it was somehow special in a different way.   

 I recall my dad phoning and singing, "I'll be home for Christmasssss," And I remember the extra anticipation of opening presents together whenever they would get home. 

The snow stopped the next morning, and the county snowplows worked hard clearing roads.   My dad and Kate arrived home late on Christmas Day.   It was a special Christmas day gift to be reunited and have a renewed appreciation of family togetherness.  Also, to add laughter about this crazy, but memorable Christmas experience.