Christmas with Andrew

January 3rd was our Christmas day. We wanted to wait until Andrew could celebrate with us. Having him home again was an immeasurable blessing. Our initial hug allowed my body to breathe deeply again. His sweet dirty face, tired eyes, tousled hair and mismatched attire was never more beautiful. Steve and I held the following moments sacred, as we sat together listening to his the highlights of his days away. Radiating with smiles, chuckles and gestures of affection he brought us into his life. Through wide-eyed glances, toothy grins, spontaneous smooches and healing hugs, my family was whole again and so was I.

Enjoying every moment through the magnifying glass that accompanies great appreciation, Steve, Andrew, my Mom and I had dinner at home, opened gifts, and toasted my Mom’s birthday. A favorite dinner was prepared: corned beef, red potatoes, brown-sugared carrots, fresh cherries tomatoes, salad and lemon bars for dessert. Every plate was clean and all tummies were full.

Our gift exchange was calm, appreciative and loving. We took turns opening one gift at a time.
Andrew, positioning himself at each of our sides, basking in our pleasure as each present was revealed. It wasn’t an option to purchase big items or gifts with heavy price tags. Our spendy flights home were our gifts. To my joy, there was no feeling of lack. Even as I write this now, Andrew is sitting in the “inspiration chair” finishing up the second of two Encyclopedia Brown books we gave him. The small Lego set was hit and Steve and Andrew spent the following two nights working side by side to successfully create this motorcycle. I downloaded a simplified version of Fur Elise, a Beethoven piano piece. This is a song that Andrew listens nightly when he goes to sleep and has expressed interest in learning to play. He was overjoyed by this one sheet of music. Santa brought one gift for both Steve and Andrew, an intricate F-12 model airplane. Something they can do during the rainy days of winter in Alaska. Mom was more than generous in her gift giving. Highlights were a 50 year metal calendar that fits in the palm of your hand, prayer books that she used when she was a little girl, a pair of binoculars and a U.S. states coin set...we have every coin except Alaska :) Steve’s parents gave us a science game called “Cogno” and we have played it every day since we opened it. Did you know there is no center of the universe?
From the time Andrew came home, during dinner and our throughout our exchange it was wonderfully unhurried, perfectly delightful and entirely thoughtful. It supported my heart’s desire to have Christmas more represent the beautiful qualities of Christ and less the obligatory hype. Wishes do come true.