Christmas Thoughts from Dad

(Our Church Building in the Middle of the Woods)

Today I have been reminiscing about the many Christmases in my life and about the fact that were away from our loved ones for the first time ever.

The one I remember by far the most vividly as a child, was the year I woke up in the night and snuck down the stairs to see if Santa had come yet.  "Yep" he'd come alright!  There was my fort Apache set that I'd asked for. The soldiers and Indians, the horses - all of it!  Ohhh, but now what? What was the thing about if you peeked at a present, you wouldn't actually get it. I hurried back to bed and worried. How would Santa know I had looked and seen my present? Well, he knows if you've been good or bad - right? Should I go tell my parents and they could make it all right with Santa? Maybe I was still good for this year - but that would mean I was already bad for next. Oh, what to do, what to do. I finally fell back to sleep and when the family got up I just went ahead as usual and was thrilled with my Fort Apache.

Skip ahead many years and my first Christmas with my bride of three months in our little apartment on the third floor of the Eastcliff.  We were so excited. We had our own tree and I even remember what I got her. It was a pair of blue and white spectator shoes. She loved them and was so pleased that I had picked out something by myself that she just loved. (Of course, the fact that I was working that year in the shoe department at Auerbach's Department store should have given her a clue as to what it would be.)

Then there were the Christmases with our own children. Some years there was more than others, but I think our kids would say they grew up with some pretty good Christmases. I'll always remember the Christmas of the skis. I was a skier and I thought my three oldest were old enough to learn. It was expensive, but we planned ahead and they all three got all the gear.  I was so excited for them!

Santa hid the skis out on the front porch and so the three big kids couldn't find anything for them. The two younger ones had wrapped gifts and they couldn't open them until the first three found theirs. Finally, I gave them a clue and they all ran out to the front porch, with five year old, David, following them. Seconds later, David came back in saying, "boring, boring boring." I know it's on video and we can still watch it should you want to, but the intensity of that "boring, boring, boring" defines David and his life - the way He lived and loved everything to the fullest.

Now, that brings me to our worst Christmas, as Christmases go. It will forever (hopefully) be all of our worst Christmases. We had just lost our son, brother, uncle, husband and Daddy in a devastating car accident.  The usual Christmas rituals and activities became a blur. However, now, as I look back on it, I realize that it was by far the most spiritual and meaningful Christmas ever.  We came to know that year what sacrifice meant and what the life of the baby Jesus could mean to all of us. We experienced miracles of healing and revelation that I cannot deny. I came to know that God does live and that he did care for me and my family. I came to understand that through the restored gospel there are heavenly angels that can and do comfort and serve in time of need.

Now, today, brings about another type of Christmas. I have the privilege of sharing it with just my Sweetheart and wife of forty-six years. It's just the two of us here in the woods, in the strangest little cabin you ever did see. We have a little 3 foot tree with lights and bows. There are even a couple of presents under it. But by far the best is that I am here with her, and we are both physically and mentally able to serve our Heavenly Father at this time.  I feel I have waited a long time to serve a mission - and now I'm doing it! (And besides I like her for a companion much more than some 19 year old doofus with smelly feet.)

 Anyway, I want to end by saying "Merry Christmas to you all.  Love each other this happy time of year and know that we are remembering our pasts and the part you have all played.  The present, today and this next week we will be thinking of you and please know we will be praying for us as a family in the future."  Love, Dad

p.s. In case you wondered, my wife DID help with some of the writing of my thoughts.