We are back at home after what our Strong Son calls the “Christmas Tour de Texas”. We spent six days visiting family and friends from one end of the state to the other. There were new traditions to add excitement, old traditions to add constancy, and favorite traditions that were left on the shelf this year out of practicality.

I didn’t decorate our house very much. Between taking care of DD and helping my Mom with paperwork, there just wasn’t time. I put up the tree and the lights, but no ornaments. I hung the wreath on the porch and got out one nativity scene. It wasn’t grand, but it was pretty. I didn’t do any Christmas baking. DD was on a liquid diet for days. I cooked very simple, beneficial meals for my husband and me. After SS got home Friday night I cooked a little more, fixing some of his favorite dishes. It wasn’t fancy, but it was healthy.

We left Sunday for a Memorial Service for my Dad that included all four of his grandchildren. Then we spent a few days with my Mom, leaving after Christmas Eve lunch. We crossed the state to spend Christmas Eve evening and Christmas Day with HH’s family. We returned home Friday night.

Everywhere we went there was plenty of beneficial food. Usually on a holiday trip, there are lots of temptations. Often there are many meals where beneficials are absent and neutrals are scarce. This was not one of those trips. I ate heartily at every meal. Yet I weighed precisely the same when I returned home as I did when I left.

DD’s mouth began to improve on Monday. By Christmas Day she could talk and smile without pain. We began to walk for exercise, which felt good physically and emotionally. Tonight she is back at work, taking two protein shakes and containers of applesauce and pumpkin in her bag. I will fix fresh carrot/celery/watermelon juice when she gets off.

We didn’t get to drive around looking at neighborhood Christmas lights this year. But we did go to a synchronized light show, where they played Christmas carols. As the music played, lights in the Christmas trees flashed on and off to the beat of the music. It was fabulous.

Of course we missed my Dad. But we did not “sorrow as others who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. The baby in the manger was sent to teach us about God and bear the burden of our sin. Because of Christmas, we have the promise that we will see my Dad again.