Four years ago, this week, we moved back to Arizona from California. It was not a happy time for our family; my son and I did not want to move back to Arizona, and leave friends and his school behind. On top of it all, I had three days to completely clean the house we bought (which had been left very dirty by the previous owners), unpack all our moving boxes, and get ready for my mother-in-laws arrival for Christmas. To say I was not a happy camper was an understatement....my son was miserable, I was miserable!
Those three days before my in-laws arrived were crazy. I had a sad nine-year old, home (and bored) while I unpacked boxes, with a new house, a new bedroom, and his toys all packed up. I had a million things to do to get ready for Christmas, and not enough time to get everything done. I was up at 6 a.m and to bed at 3 a.m. Yet, somehow I did it. I got my sons toys unpacked, his room made up comfortable, the house cleaned, 95% of the boxes unpacked and put away. I even got some of our Christmas decorations up! The night before my in-laws arrived, we bought a fresh tree and hung the decorations. Although the tree was a bit tipsy (the guy who cut the bottom, drilled the hole for the tree stand crooked), it looked beautiful with the twinkling lights and sparkly ornaments. We did it, we got done in time for her arrival! Or did we....?
The day had arrived, my in-laws plane was due in at 10 a.m. My husband and son went to the airport to pick them up, so I decided to make a few batches of cookies. My back was turned from the family room, and all of a sudden I heard a weird CREAK, and then a crash....Yep, you guessed it....our beautiful tree tipped over and crashed to the ground! What a mess! There were pine needles, tree water, and broken ornaments everywhere. Even worse, some of our most treasured ornaments were shattered and broken, tiny shards of glass twinkling over the carpet.
I'd like to say that I sprung into action, lifting the tree up, vacuuming needles and ornament pieces, making everything perfect again. I'd like to say I did this, but that would be a lie. I am not little miss perfect. I did not have a magic wand to wave. Instead, I sat on the floor, in front of the broken tree and cried. I cried for my sons sad little heart. I cried for the three days of working nonstop until 3 a.m. I cried for my perfect little tree, and those beautiful ornaments, mangled and broken on the floor.
My husband, with in-laws in tow, walked in to me, sitting on the floor, picking up shards of broken glass, crying my eyes out.
Together, we cleaned up the mess, and my husband reinforced the tree on its stand. I did not lose as many ornaments as I thought, and my mother-in-law got a chance to share the tree decorating with us. Christmas was saved.
It is now four years later. We adjusted to life in Arizona (though we still miss California and friends we only get to see 2-3 times each year). We relish those old friendships, but appreciate the new friendships we have made here in Arizona. Our tree is crooked again this year, but holding steady. My in-laws are with us again this year, but this may be my mother-in-laws last Christmas-the cancer she was diagnosed with two years ago is ravaging her body, and she is losing the fight.
I look back at our Christmas four years ago, and can now laugh at our little Christmas calamity. More than ever, I appreciate the memories of our time with my mother-in-law, and thank God that we have this Christmas to make more memories...memories we will cherish, so we can save Christmas with her in our hearts forever....
Make sure you take the time to save Christmas with your family!
