an old time christmas

I packed up all the things for the trip.and settled back tell Anna called to say they were on their way.it was raining a little off and on,but it wasn,t freezing.so I figured we would be just fine.it would be good to see the family for christmas ,even if it would have to be in shifts. Anna called and said they were close to the apartment so I headed down to the van to wait.seemed odd to not see snow and to watch the rainy drizzle.thought about christmas,s past and how it was snowy and cold.but this was like fall not christmas.soon they drove in and Eric and Anna loaded in my stuff.into their already over loaded subberban.I just had a feeling it was best to ride with them.{it turned out to be a wise Idia.}off we headed into the drizzle and darkening sky.we road along talking and laughing about Anna,s cats and their antic,s on christmas.how max always has to be sprinkled to keep him away from the tree.how he sneeks and takes tree ornaments in the basement and hides them.how ommie sits on the branches or on the gifts under the tree.and looks out the window. friendly is one who is just intested in looking at the tree.or if max is under it friendly and max will play.one year when ommie was small he climbed up into the branches and layed down and went to sleep.Anna found him there.funny the tree didn,t tip over.but then cats have been climbing tree,s for longer then we been having them in the house at christmas.as we drove into the night the snow started coming down .line upon line of christmas travelers on both sides of the highway headed to their destinations.we all said a prayer for all to get safely to where they were going.Eric drove along well with the big trailor on the back,layedoned with the two tables and the bed.the bed and kichen table went to kruzes place.and the patio table went to Lucys.the snow was really coming down now.and it was finely looking more like a northland christmas.the christmas lights along the way were cheery and pretty.soon we begain to see cars in the ditch.and the rode was lining with snow.Eric kept the big truck on the road.I felt safe but would not have drove along as fast.we came around a off ramp and another car was in the ditch.others were helping them.the closer we got to kruses the more it snowed,and it got icey.when we got to the country road to his place we were cutting our own trail.like kruze always says "this road never gets plowed!"and guess he was right it wasn,t.so we slipped and slide and almost went in the ditch at the enterance to the driveway.but Eric under protests from the back seat from the family did keep us out of the deep ditch.had we went into it we would have needed someone to pull us out.and we may have all been hurt.{thank you Lord for angels on duty.}Eric righted the truck and trailor and headed down the road.it wasn,t plowed and his four wheel drive got us up it.the van would not have made it!we drove up to the door and then the fun begain.all the stuff needed to be unlaoded.and it was snowing wet snow and rain mix.so by the time every thing was unloaded those unloading were wet.so was the bed and box spring and that was where I was suppose to sleep.Kruzes table from Mom was wet and the girls busyed themselves to wipe them down.the bed and boxspring went up to the spear room and would have to dry before anyone could sleep on it.and as the doors were shut in the house the lights flickered now and then.you know how you have a feeling that something is going to happen and you just don,t know what.well that is what we all felt.we all settled into kruses nice cheery home.him and the girls had it so cute.the tree and his little villages were so cute.and the wood stove was toastie warm.it was almost christmas like the ones I knew as a kid.everyone was busy doing things.the kids played together.the guys watched something on TV.and Anna played games with the girls .me I went into the family room to reflect on the events of the drive down.and my own thoughts.it was warm under my fleese cloat all wrapped up in the comfy chair.I could hear the storm out side.teddy Anna,s little dog came in and lay by my legs so I could rock him tosleep.see for as far back as I can remember I have wigled my foot from side to side.it rocks teddy tosleep and me sometimes to.that is how I sat for a long time.every so often the lights would flicker and come back on.Kruze came now and then and put one of the dogs out.Id say boy its good you have your wood stove and candles in case they go out .he would say that is why I got it.well soon the lights would go off a little longer,and this brown efect would happen.I figured sooer or later we would be in the dark.the rain and heavey snow was cloating the lines.the big white pines in the back of the house were covered with ice and snow.some branches were hanging to the ground. we were having a good old winter storm.the wind howled outside the family room that faces north and west.I sat and thought about the wonderful times we spent holidays here all together.I missed knowing mom wasn,t here.also the girls and Kruze would be alone here this year.wish I could do something to make it all better!but I can,t and it hurts.only God can do a work for them.I was thinking along those lines when Kurze came in and sat down across from me and said how you doing?I said its hard knowing mom aint here .but we are still able to be together.we talked about the fact things weren,t the same with Lucy gone.but he said he was ok.the girls were taking it harder.but they would be ok to.we talked about the fact we would all stick with him and that wouldn,t change.Id still be his mom and he would still be my son.that would never change and no one would take his place in my heart.I told him how it was hard for me.I had almost stayed home cause I didn,t feel much like christmas.but came anyway for the kids.{I love Kruze he is a wonderful man.he deserves better then he got this year.} but God has a way of healing the soul and mending the heart.good will come to Kruze I have no dout in that. when he left the room I thought about my son in law and his gentle caring ways.he cares about people.he is a blessing to my family.he reminds me of Leo my stepfather.the girls are sooo blessed to have a loving father who cares about them.he spends time with them.and that is what kids need at times like these.they need to know they are loved. the storm ragged on out sided but we were safe and warm.the lights kept on flickering. and long about 8;30 or nine they flickered once more time and went out and didn,t come back on.we were at the mercy of the storm and poor light company workers cold and away from their familys on christmas.just to find the problem with the lights. the candles came out and were lit and put in the rooms we needed them in.one for me and it lite up the room with a warm glow.{ now it was just like back on the farm at home when I was a kid.we lived way out in the country back in the 80 surrounded by swamp and woods to the back of us and 160 acers all around us.our driveway was half mile long.and when the ligths went out we were the last ones to get them back on cause we were last on the line.and if it snowed we were in for the long haul.it could be days before the snow plow got us cleared out.we would use oil lamps for light, and our trusty old oak wood stove in the basement to stay warm tell tectnolagy saved us again.}the TV off the guys just visited and the kids played games with Anna.it was getting late by that time so soon it was bed time.I said I would sleep on the couch in the family room.the boys ended on the floor by the stove and uncle Kruze on the couch by the wood stove to keep it going.Anna and Eric and the girls up stairs in the bedrooms.soon everyone was in bed.flashlights to help if potty time came in the dark.I could hear talking for a short time but soon all was still.only the storm ragged on outside.I lay there saying my prayers and thanking God for the safety of Kruzes home.and for Eric,s driving down.I would have been white kunkling it all the way had I had to drive myself. the sounds of the storm and stillness lalled me tosleep.morning dawned clear and lovely.the tree,s were covered with snow and ice.and the eastern sky promised a great day.and there was the problem as clear as can be for the lights going out.{the bottom line on the light poll was hanging on the ground.Kruze called around but coundn,t get anyone.so he did the next best thing."call the sherif."and say our light line is across our road.soon they were there with the lights on.and the furance and lights were on.{but it was a nice night with no TV no computer,and just family to share the sleet, snow and ice storm of christmas 2006 at the Kruze christmas.{I for one loved it.Mom would have loved it too.she loved this charming home with its trusty woodstove.and the sweet guy who stocked it for her.} we spent one more day and night with Kruze and the girls.had hot beefs and scalped potatoes for supper.sausage and cheese for lunch.and visited and played games.watched the little movies {cars}with the younger kids and Anna in the family room.I had never seen it.{if you haven,t you need to its tops.sooo cute and clean!!!and the senery is lovely.}great time was had by all.next morning Kruze was off to work.and we cleaned up and got ready to go to Lucys.we got there about 9;oo ish.unloaded her stuff from grandma.the patio table and chairs and some boxes of stuff.her tree was cute,and the apartment was decked out with charm.they had to go get a gift for Kruze from the girls and so everyone left but the boys and me.we sat and watched TV while they were gone.the Ham I brought went into the oven before they left,and was smelling good by time they returned.we settled into enjoy our time.Lucy showed me the apartment next door that was open.and the next one she has to paint. sweet little sar bear said Na Na you should move into it! then her ,Anna and Lucy went down to put some clothes in the washer in the wash room.me and teddy the dog headed back to the apartment. {if things were different I thought,Sar bears idia wouldn,t have been too bad.}we watched TV and Lucy put her lacy table clothe I gave her on her table.it has the last supper on it.I got one for Anna with the nativity seen on it and one for Kruze with the last supper for his table to.also gave the two son in laws flannel shirts just cause I love them. {we weren,t going to exchange gifts.} we watched some movie but can,t think of the name.the kids were laughting when I woke up from a nape.Anna was sitting on the floor by Lucys chair,Lucy in it.once Lucy came over and we hugged and said we loved each other.I can tell she isn,t feeling well but she don,t say much.also can tell life in praidice aint all its cracked up to be.but what can I do but pray?the potatoes were on the stove and the greenbean hot dish and ham in the oven and soon the whole apartment smelled soooo good.we soon were eating and saying how good every thing teasted.the gravey and ham truned out great.greenbean hot dish too.we had a friends pickles that were great!!!lets just say "train man thanks for pickles that were out of this world!!!" the girls opened their gifts as we watched.and we did the dishes and visited tell it was time to leave.we had to take Lucy to where her car was so all of us loaded into the subberban.and headed out.is was a nice night and the roads were clear.the christmas lights along the way were so pretty.the moon was just a fingernail but pretty none the same.we laughted and talked on the way.as we came near Kruzes place I wondered how milow the dog was,and thought about Kruze alone when he got home from work.I prayed for him.the Lord would be there and the three loving dogs.people may screw you over but your dogs love you forever.you can count on them.soon we were to Lucys car and the girls and Lucy pilled out and Lucy and I hugged and said we loved each other.we waited tell her car started and we all went our ways.for a long time I just looked out the window with my thoughts.life has changed soooo much and not for the best for any of us.its just diffrent.the family is smaller and those who made it up are eather gone to heaven or in the hospital,or living some place else.death no one can stop, it sneaks up on the best of us and sends you for a loap.but choices are harder to handle.cause they could have been different.but like it or not choices were made and now they have to be lived with for better or worse. Kruze didn,t choose to be alone this christmas,two others planned that mess.and must live with it.I didn,t plan on not having someone.but hubby desided his pride and the meds had to go.but he is back on them anyway like it or not.and he spent christmas in the waco ward.me I spent it with those who do love me.and the ones I can count on.and Jesus is always there for me.what ever I don,t have ,He steps in and is for me.so He was my partner just like He has been for 37 years.as I sat alone in the family room. in the flickering candle light His love covered me,and helped me not cry when I thought about all the bad in this last few years.His comforting voice said "I will never leave you or forsake you."and helped me remember mom is safe with Him.and if I go on alone I will still have Him with me.and so will the girls and Kurze.and He will see they have a clean new start.and what ever Lucy does the Lord will help her as much as she lets Him.but nothing good comes from something started in sin.there is aways a high price to pay.hope it was worth the pain it caused everyone.but I know it wasn,t.it never is!glad this year is almost over.the hope for better next year gives me the desire to go on.it says in the bible "I know the plans I have for you,plans for good and not for evil,to give a hope and a future."that gives me hope and strangth to go on.it also says."what the devil ment for destruction,I will turn to good." so no matter the Lord is in control.and next year will be better. MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL WHO READ.thanks blondie for stopping in and leaving a comment.you were the only one.thanks for being faithful.