Christmas Surprise

Five a.m. is an ungodly hour. I was baking a ham and a turkey for dinner and lunch the Christmas Eve. I had yet to make the dressing, fruit salad or the corn casserole. I had invited my friend, Clara from next door. She had recently been widowed and had never had any children. I warned her in advance of the noise and activity when the mob arrives. I have four children and ten grandchildren. Chaos is a nice word to describe the scene. Clara had come over the day before and helped me cook pies, a cake, and special request from little Anthony, the pink fluffy thing. I hated the Jell-o dish, but he loved it.

They all arrived at once. There was a flurry of hats and coats. The noise was like a freight train coming to a stop in my living room. Someone was crying, two siblings fighting over who was going to hold the dog. Clara stood back with mouth open and eyes wide taking in the scene. I laughed when I looked at her. I had warned her, after all.

There was more to come. Some of our church group was coming over later that night. I had cleaned the basement out and set up a Recreation room down there for the kids. A friend loaned me her Fooz ball table, I had my handy man install a basketball hoop and dart board.

About seven p.m., my church friends arrived bearing armloads of covered dishes. The house filled with laughter and fond memories of Christmas's past. We reminisced for hours over coffee and pumpkin pies. Lou had brought his video camera. We each took turns telling about significant things that had happened to us over the years. We sat in silence as each of us told our story of our walk in this life. Grandkids related funny stories and siblings squabbled and bickered over the accuracy of their history.

I let the noise wash over me. I realized as a family, we were definitely in the minority. We really like each other. For the most part we get along very well.

I slowly gathered dishes as the guests departed. Mother gathered children amid cries and complaints about going to bed. Lights dimmed and the day began to wind down. My son ran the dishwasher and helped me clean the kitchen. We talked about how much getting together meant to us all. He pledged to make it more of a priority in the coming year. He lived a couple of hours away. He slid me a side ways glance and asked me," What would you think about us moving in town here?"

A big smile spread across my face. "I would love it."

"The company I work has been bought out and merged with another company. I don't know if I would be one of the layoffs, but what I do know is I do not like the new company's policies. I have been offered a job here in town. I thought you might like to have some company on a regular basis."

My arms reached out and pulled him close. He had no idea just how much I really did want that.

What a great Christmas surprise.