December 2007 

 It’s the morning of December 14^th and Ronnie and I have just

 returned from twelve days on the road.  When I left it was 70 degrees…today it is 40. 

Winter has arrived and we have a forecast of snow for tomorrow.  I am mailing Christmas cards and wrapping presents for the 25^th.  My family is making preparations for all the brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews to fit into my Mom’s house where we will eat, drink, laugh, discuss presidential picks, and spend time just being together.  There will be lots of food and even more excitement as many little ones anticipate our traditional opening of presents at noon on Christmas Day.  Paper will fly, screams will be heard and in a few minutes we are ankle deep in the paper I am wrapping with today!  Then there will be more food, a thank you from one to another, our Ferree family picture on the front porch of Mom’s house (taken quickly I might add in freezing weather), and we will settle in to spend time with one another again before the day ends. 

 It is one day a year.  We call it Christmas.  We use it as a time to bring family together after a year of working, traveling and going in our separate ways.  I still remember this morning the Christmas Days of many years ago…My Dad taking us through our farm searching for the perfect tree….mom making hot cocoa from scratch (no instant in an envelope) and sugar cookies fresh from the oven…lots of turkey, dressing and always my dad’s favorite (scalloped oysters), my mom’s famous banana cake…and always lots of laughter!

 For nine years now my Dad has been gone, but our family tradition carries on.  We have an artificial tree that is much easier, but today my Mom is baking cookies and we will have lots of turkey, dressing and because we always have….we always will have scalloped oysters and mom’s famous banana cake….and of course, lots of laughter!

 On this celebration of Jesus’ birth, let’s take time for the things that are the most important in life…Him…family…friends….and of course, lots of laughter!  Time to remember good memories (if I had bad ones, I shredded them from my memory), spend time with those you love and if you can’t be together…take time to remember when you could and be thankful.  I’m thankful this morning for this Christmas but also for all those behind me. 

Ronnie and Becky