There are so many things/activities we’ve grown to love over the years leading up to Christmas and as creatures of habit we do them every year. I was a little unsure how this season would feel with Hallie being gone, but we were ready to go through all the motions and make it the best!
We started out great. We had some of the younger cousins (aka, children of our kids’ cousins!) over for a hot chocolate night and a walk to the Christmas house. We were missing one of the littles so we planned to host another night…which unfortunately never came to be!
We had some amazing carolers pay us a visit and they could actually sing well so it was a treat!
We had so many big plans…and then our life turned upside down. Then the majority of our holiday cheer came from a tree in the lobby of the ICU that Steve and I would pass when we were swapping shifts at the hospital.
And kind neighbors who made a darling santa hat for this special “Warmie” they dropped off – the only Christmassy thing in Cannon’s room.
I snuck away from the hospital one evening to attend Bennett’s choir Christmas concert.
Christmas Sunday was a little painful. Cannon was still in the hospital – still unsure on his release. Bennett had come down with a cold and wasn’t feeling well and was stuck at home. So we were really few in numbers. I really hadn’t seen my kids all week and I was exhausted. I sat down in the pew feeling weary. There was some prelude music prior to the meeting starting and tears just started to roll down my cheek as I listened to the beautiful piano music. I needed that Christmas service. More than anything I needed to feel Christmas – and I did during that musical service.
I was happy when Briggs was able to attend the neighborhood annual gingerbread house decorating event. Complete with a neighbor sending me pictures.
And Cannon could not have been happier to find a kit dropped off for him just an hour after he returned home from the hospital – he built it immediately!
A friend included a picture and quote in the envelope with their Christmas card and I was so grateful for the message.
We finally made it to Bass Pro Shop for our annual picture. We missed our reservation while we were in the hospital and I tried to get another later time slot but everything was booked so I had resolved to skip it this year. Until Cannon asked if we could make it happen. He had given up multiple class parties, his student council event, birthday parties and more – in his words, “I can’t believe I missed the funnest week at school.” So I got on the phone and made the visit to Bass Pro Santa happen! (They were actually great to work with and helped us out.)
We didn’t fit everything in – none of us had the energy to do so – and everyone was okay with that. But we were grateful to be home, together as a family, before Christmas. It was our Christmas miracle – and a season we won’t soon forget!
