After spending almost a week with my son and his girlfriend, unfortunately, it was time for them to head to their next destination. At the same time, other family members came to celebrate Christmas. Yesterday morning we took my son’s girlfriend to the airport and she made it home safely to spend Christmas with her family. In the afternoon, my sister and my brother came into town. We went to Mass in the evening and got there at the perfect time to get a parking space and good seats. The priest talked about how it is easy to be fearful at this time in our world, but Christ came into the world to offer us a better way. To live in faith of a loving God means to live in hope and peace – even in volatile situations – and to do our best to show that to those around us. Not easy, but that is why we need Him to be part of our lives. As we left the church we sang, “Joy To the World” all the way to the car. Then we drove around a little to look at Christmas lights. This morning my son and I got up before sunrise and headed to the airport for his flight. The roads were packed with slushy snow and it was foggy making it difficult to see. We said a prayer as we started out. It is a little over an hour to the airport and I was glad when about half way things cleared up, the sky grew a little lighter, and I was able to relax a bit. I got one last big bear hug from my son as I dropped him off to fly out and spend the next week with his brother’s family. On the way home the sun was just peeking above the horizon creating a pink glow on the nearby mountain range. There were layers of black, grey, and pink clouds in various shapes hovering at different altitudes. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the stormy sky. I was listening to Christmas music and a song came on that really struck me. It was about children who don’t have a permanent home and how their Christmas wish is to have a family and people who will love and nurture them. I thought about the foster kids that I have just started to volunteer with. Many of them are in group homes. I wondered how they were spending Christmas. I wondered what else I might be able to do for them. And I prayed for them. Once back home, my other sister and her husband arrived. We spent the day eating, visiting, and opening gifts. My traveling brother called to video chat on his computer so he was able to see what the presents were. We even played a game all together. By the time this evening rolled around, I felt as if I have been celebrating for weeks already – which I suppose is both a good and a bad thing. It has been somewhat hectic, but mostly joyful, spiritual, and blessed. I am grateful to spend the time with family and that traveling has been safe.

I Found God today celebrating Christmas.