Flashback to Mayberry

Another great Christmas has come and gone. Great presents from family, great time spend with family and a trip back to Mayberry.

Let me explain.

Our family left Charleston at 2:3o pm on Tuesday with hopes of being in Twinsburg 4 hours later. Try...6 1/2 hours later instead.

One hour into our trip..our car begins to make a noice that sounded like thousands of people cheering at a football game.

Since there was not a stadium in sight..we knew it was something with our car.

We found ourselves in a small country town in West Virginia called Fairplain. We asked around and everyone recommended Ron's auto clinic 4 miles south.

We made it to Ron's 1 and 1/2 hour before he closed. Ron assured us that he would have us back on the road soon.

We unloaded and proceeded to wait in Ron's waiting area.

The children began playing cards on top of an auto parts box and I asked the weary receptionist where the nearest coffee shop was.

She informed that the best cup of coffee could only be found down the road at the Fishin' and Huntin' shack.

I passed.

The mechanics were half dressed in a mechanics uniform and their hunting clothes.

It was like a scene out of mayberry RFD and I expected Goober to walk in any moment.

The car was fixed and $519 dollars later we were on our way.

I wonder if we stayed longer if Aunt Bee would have fixed us dinner.

We'll never know.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS...THIS YEAR!!!

I love Christmas...don't get me wrong...but this year I am enjoying every minute of the season. I'm not sure exactly why.

I don't feel the stress of shopping, wrapping, cards, etc. None of it is done...but I don't care.

I am enjoying the season and the time that I am spending with others. Here are some highlights:

A trip to tower city with Ally and 5 of her friends. They walked around tower city with their $1 crowns and gave them away to any little girl that wanted to also be a princess. (this happened in Panera over dinner)

Singing carols in the train all the way home. We had complete strangers and even the driver singing songs about our saviour.

Making stained glass candy with my girls. This is something that I did when I was little.

Buying candy for some mentally retarded boys in walmart who were shopping for their moms.

Coffee with friends at Arabica.

Calling my grandmother for hints on some of her traditional recipes.

Watching 80 children sing last Sunday at church.

Watching my children hide their homemade gifts under the tree that they picked out for me.
(i wonder if I will get another eagle necklace?)

Speaking to 80 women about Christ in Athens and having 4 generations of women in my family there to listen.

Taking communion with my ailing grandmother for the first time.


Notice none of this involves shopping or spending money...it's about time with people I love.

I don't know what has come over me. Maybe it's hormones...but I think it is really realizing the true meaning of this holiday.

I love Christmas...and it's only the 18th.

Hope you are finding the real reason for the season.