The Navy Christmas theme (captioned) photo is not huge in my family, even though many of us are US Navy veterans of larger and smaller wars. The extended family has an aviator officer on active duty and an officer assigned to crypto responsibilities. There is some naval infantry involved if you go far enough. God loves the Marines. They claim to guard Heaven’s gates – I don’t dispute it. They just need a few SEALS to clear the beaches for them so they can land safely.
This month’s blog posts have been headed in the general direction of Christmas; now, it’s upon us. For all the day is and isn’t. For all that it represents and doesn’t. The ideal of family bliss and the reality may fall somewhat short. For the gifts given and received with love.
I am a very lucky man, and I have a loving family. My four daughters dote on me, and my nine grandchildren (ages 4-13) swarm me with love and energy.
Because of work schedules and demanding in-laws (who are not all outlaws), my family gathered on Saturday for a gift exchange and meal. There is always some stress involved with 20 or so people gathering, eating, opening presents, and trying to have a traditional Christmas.
Last year, I went to a particularly good Chinese restaurant and spent $400 on take-out. This year, it was roast beef sandwiches. Next year, it may be pizza. It’s not the day. It’s the experience of being together that counts.
None of my children are divorced, no blended families, and none of the step-situations that are common. There is none of the drama that I experienced with both my father and mother (each) being married four times. The same was true of MRSLL, and the memories of those traumatic family situations helped keep us together.
Thus, the confusion and craziness of the BIG Christmas passed. I went to Christmas Eve at church in the morning and visited friends in Southern California, including veterans I served with, giving gifts they did not anticipate (always fun). Now comes Christmas morning, and more gifts will soon be exchanged as I stay with my oldest daughter and her family. I’m sure that there will be a big breakfast involved. With most of the energy expended, it should be a mellow day.
It’s never been about the gifts to me. Love is more important than landfill.
That’s a window into the reality of my Christmas celebrations, both raucous and quiet. I hope your Christmas is what you want it to be and that you can squeeze a few moments in to remember the reason for the holiday as time marches toward a new and uncertain 2024.
Christmas Music – Get in the Spirit of the Season!
I’m working today, so those with younger family’s may have the day off to spend it with them. Maybe the best gift I could give. Spitting snow with 40 mph north wind this morning. Ear flaps down on my hat today. May God bless all of you today!
Good man sir! May God richly bless you.
X2
x3
x4. I’ve done the same myself and would be very surprised if most of us here haven’t done that too.
Merry Christmas!! A special blessing on you FHubert and all the others that are working today.
I grew up in the era of 1 big present, several smaller presents (usually clothes) and nuts and citrus in the stocking, maybe with chocolates.
I see people, especially on the lower economic scale, kill themselves to provide a huge pile of garbage and stupidity.
Things are better when they are simplified. Emphasize family and God over materialistic means. And… a feast of one sort or another, to celebrate such an important event.
Merry Christmas all you VMers! God bless us, everyone.
Same upbringing, same thoughts. For some reason I’m thinking about these lines in a song – Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
Erector sets and Tinkertoys and Lincoln Logs..
The gifts that keep on giving.
Don’t forget Lionel Train sets…brother still has ours, dang thing still works, including the variac with cloth covered cord.
+1
Clothes? Once upon a time I thought mine was the only family to do that. A of plastic army men was like a dozen gifts. Especially when you had matches and left over firecrackers. Fond memories.
Merry Christmas to you and the rest of the VM crew.
Beautiful tribute LL…very fortunate indeed. What matters most is not a hard thing to know. Intentionality may be the word of the new year.
Merry Christmas and a MAGA New Year! (Couldn’t help myself)
Merry Christmas LL & everyone out there in reader land.
The blessings of the season to you and yours, LL, and to all who visit your blog.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Larry.
That Greta on a shelf. Even barbecue sauce could not mask the bitterness.
A Blessed Christmas to you all, LL.
Merry Christmas to all. Thanks to all of the military, emergency responders, and everyone else working today to keep society rumbling along. Regardless of all the strife in the world there is a lot to be thankful for and be joyful for.
Feliz Navidad to LL and gang here. Appreciate the work this takes
Merry Christmas to you and yours, LL. We’re hosting the family gathering as we always do. Family and friends and a good meal always make for good times, especially at Christmas.
WSF will be here, so we can do our plotting for the coming year, and discuss this “Cot By The Stove” issue that keeps coming up….
Oh my gosh. He will defend that cot (with Banner’s assistance) like the third monkey up the ramp to the ark during the first rain squall.
I might have to crash the party, put some faces to these “voices”…but only if there’s pecan pie.
“I will go, but I must be fed.”
Where have I heard that?
Merry Christmas to you and yours LL. :-)
This evening, I was asked to provide the blessing on the meal.
I always am mindful of those who stood on the wall and those “rough men ready to to do violence on our behalf” standing on that wall this night that we may partake of our meal in peace.
+1
Bless you, RHSM. Nice post.