Savor the flavor.

I’m so thankful for this season. It reminds me over and over of all my blessings, but most especially the blessings I have in relationships. In the past, there were really rough patches in Jeff and my marriage. Some of it was between the two of us – earlier on, in the beginning years. Selfishness rooted in pride, added in with stress, made for a slippery slope that could have made our marriage another statistic.

Later on the struggles were financial as stupid college decisions, as well as smart decisions, added up to an unsurmountable debt. Jeff, not wanting his family swallowed up, enlisted in the Army and exchanged 4 years to Uncle Sam for nearly $40,000 in student loans. Those were 4 hard years – we had to rely on others for help; a borrowed vehicle, the church’s food pantry, hard work, lots of sacrifice, family assistance, and most of all, prayers.

On the other side of that climb is a freedom the likes of nothing we could have imagined. Wealthy we are not, but rich – oh, we are so rich. In leaning on others and living with the faith that God would pull us through, our relationships with others became sweeter and sweeter.

Or maybe they were always sweet and we just didn’t realize the height and depth of them.

One of those relationships is with my Uncle Don, my daddy’s brother, and his wife, Aunt Betty.

Of course, I’ve known them my entire life, but I never really KNEW them until I went away to college in their town. Those three years the two of them saw me through a lot. They met the boys I dated, fed me every Tuesday night, let me use their washer and dryer on a weekly basis, nursed me with ice cream when I’d had a particularly bad day, and even held me when my Great Grandpa died and I was too far from my parents to crawl into their arms.

They were surrogate parents and I loved them – oh how I love them still.

And now, by the grace of God and several years of continued relationship, my children love them with the same fullness. Not that it isn’t obvious.

And so, annually we get together to share in a Christmas dinner, which we did last night. Because what else is better than spoiling yourself with the presence of loved ones?

Answer: Nothing

They came bearing gifts…

…of which my children were more than happy to accept.

Hmmmm…can you tell who has “receiving gifts” at the tip top of their love language?

What’d she get? A Hasting’s bookstore gift certificate, that’s what. And because we devour books much like chocolate, it is always a perfect gift.

"I can get the next book in The Edge Chronicles!"

Kenny, a bit calmer than his oldest sister, carried on more manly conversations with Uncle Don.

"Hey Uncle Don – want some of my Band-Aid Gum?"

"Um no thank you, that’s for you."

Uncle Don was busy readying one of the gifts the kids’ received – these Micro Robotic “roaches” (okay, so they are “creatures” called Hexbugs). Even grownups could lose hours a day messin’ with these critters. I’m just warning you – if you want to be productive, do NOT buy a Hexbug.

And? At least those critters aren’t living – nor have ever been living, unlike the other “gift” presented.

For the sake of my sanity, and this website, please understand that you DO NOT HAVE TO SAVE snakeskins you found in your garden for my daughter. Really. Her snake is growing at a fast enough rate as it is.

Of course, Emelie thought it was pretty cool.

I’m looking forward to many more family gatherings this year, many more chances to kiss and hug and say “I love you” knowing that time has seasoned me a bit with its lessons.

Relationships?
They flavor life – and I want to savor that flavor.