WOW...What a Christmas!!

There are several words we use in the English language to describe various things or events and so often at times we tend to use a word that may over state what we are actually referring to. This however is not the case as I use the word "WOW" in reference to the week we had during Christmas 2008. WOW can be used to describe a feeling of excitement or sadness and in this case it represents both and is a WOW that would signify a "wow, I can't believe this week just happened.".


Christmas is a time of the year when so many things happen, so many emotions are on display and so many feelings rise up and people get really rude...and really friendly. It is a time that we look forward to seeing family, friends, taking time off, opening gifts, and most importantly, celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This seasons brings so much to our plates as we gear up and spend money and think about the gifts and the joys we have all been blessed with. These gifts are those like friends, your jobs, homes, cars, and most important...family. No matter what you buy or how much you spend, nothing can replace family.


Now this week was no exception to the hustle and bustle of the season. My wife and I spent hours driving all over getting gifts, making plans, and preparing for our travel with the kids to Dallas to spend the Holiday with family. It was hectic to say the least. We managed to get it all done in time to load up the kids and head for Dallas. Now, family for me is something I missed growing up in the sense of a father, mother, good times with all the aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, etc.. I missed out on a lot of those "good times" and God knew that, so He blessed me beyond my imagination with the family I have married in to. Now this family...is family by its purest of definitions and I am so fortunate to be apart of it. Hence the "WOW" for the excitement.

On our way up there, we had it all planned out as to what we were going to do for the most part and it all started with a visit to our aunt Sandra Hooper. Aunt San had been dealing with Cancer for the better part of two years and it has been a journey for the family in many ways. We went over there the first chance we got and spent several hours with her. San was laid up in the bed, unable to move, respond, or communicate at all. It was close to the end for her and we all knew it. A couple of her sisters and a few other family members had spent weeks and months taking care of her and being her rock and preparing the family for the obvious outcome. I have to say, I truly enjoyed the time I spent with her during those hours whether it was just her and I talking or being joined by my wife, remembering the past. San was an awesome person and a beautiful child of God who loved her family so much and loved kids with a huge passion. She had the most radiant smile that would make you forget any issues you may have had and let you know it would all be alright. Sitting in the room with her, we knew more than ever that God was going to take her home because it was in His plans. On Christmas Eve morning at 3:30am, God did just that. Her spirit went up and left her body here for us to kiss one last time. Her going home celebration was set for Saturday and the focus went back to Christmas. God would have it no other way.

Christmas was great, we all shared gifts, food, conversation, laughs, and even some tears when we remembered San publicly. Kids running all over, crying, laughing, complaining about each other. Cousins gearing up to hit the clubs. Uncles sitting outside talking about the old days and the family and all that was going on, including if the Cowboys would make the playoffs or not. (OR NOT!!!lol) Aunts inside talking, laughing and sharing stories. Younger cousins playing the new Guitar Hero and screaming....oh, I mean, singing the songs. Family being family. What I missed before, God has given again and made it amazing. As the one joining the family through marriage and being me, I love to sit back and observe them. And what an observation. I recently saw a movie the other day called the Bucket List with Morgan Freeman and Jack. In the movie, they wanted to see something "majestic". Jack asked what would be something "majestic". One of the definitions of majestic is "majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters" Superior to mundane matters. Well Jack, Majestic can be something as simple as family. When I observe this family, what I see is majestic. They are family above all "mundane matters" and family above all else. This Christmas, like any other, they came through like family should and San would be proud. Even on the day of the funeral, while we all were rushing to get ready, a fire broke out in the house and everyone rushed outside, all 40 plus at 930am. After 5-10 minutes of standing outside, the temperature dropped 20 degrees in 5 minutes and it started to pour down rain. After the fire department was done, we had no electricity and were forced to leave. Not a problem, we all gathered our stuff, dropped it in the cars, made sure everyone had a ride, loaded up and headed to our other Aunts to get ready and eat breakfast and continue on with the day as planned. While waiting outside, we laughed, joked around and wondered what San was trying to do. Not one person was upset, we just do what family should do, adjust, thank God, and move forward. And we did, we do, and we will. Majestic. And San? Well she would just smile and say, "it will be alright." "WOW"

Love you San...Thank you God