I have been reliving in my mind, many Christmases past. The times I received a special gift; the times I received something I had not asked for and loved; the times my mother knitted me a sweater - which would not be the style, color, or size I had asked for because SHE liked "this one" better. But most of all I have been thinking of those Christmases which have never left my mind in over 60 yrs (or close to 60).
I remember a time in particular when my father, who was an over the road truck driver, called my mom on Christmas Eve to tell her he was stranded in Illinois because he truck broke down and he would NOT be home for Christmas. My mother (most dramatically) cried, crawled into he Pajamas and robe, left me to get dinner for the other 3 kids while she sat curled up in her chair softly crying. She did not speak; did not watch TV or listen to music...she just cried. After I fixed dinner (probably sandwiches because I was about 13) I decided we, the kids, should do something to cheer her up. We got into our PJ's and robes, got out a baby doll and wrapped it in a blanket; My brother and sister entered the room where mom sat holding this baby. My littlest brother about 5, carried a cane and walked in. I brought my Bible and read the Christmas story out loud to mom from Luke 2. Then we sang a few Christmas carols. She cried, hugged us all, and we went to bed. Then next morning we rushed to the kitchen for breakfast (since we could not see the gifts til we had eaten) We sat with our bowls of cereal, mom was not up yet, but we heard heavy foot step on the stairs. It was my dad. He had told the company for which he worked, that he needed to be home with his family, so they flew him out that night. He had not told mom. That was the best Christmas with my family I can remember.
Since then there have been many blessed Christmases with my growing family (sibling and their kids and their kids) But one of the most interesting and well loved Chrismases was when I flew to Turkey to spend Christmas and New Years' with Mesut. I knew he did not celebrate Christmas but I carried a small Christmas tree and gifts in my luggage and the night I got there (Christmas) we celebrated Christmas together. He had gifts for me and I had mine for him. We pretty much stayed indoors the next day because of the weather and jet lag but the day after, we traveled to Abant, a very beautiful resort area. We left Istanbul in clear weather and the closer we got to Abant, the colder it got and it began to snow. We arrived at a 5 star hotel which served buffets breakfast and dinner; had a lounge area with live music. We went for a sleigh ride (open sleigh) around the 8 miles of lake. I was freezing but I did not mind because I was with Mesut and wrapped like "Heidi" with all my clothing on and wrapped in a blanket. When we returned and thawed out, we went back outside for a snowball fight and to play with 2 St. Bernards who loved me and seemed to understand English but ignored him speaking Turkish. When we had to leave the next morning, I was staring out the window at the snow draped trees and frozen lake. He came up behind me, put his arms around me and said, Do you see that mountain over there? and I said yes. He said do you see that big lake? I said yes. He continued, If you go to other side of mountain, lake disappears? I said, no it is still there. He smiled and said, Askima, that is how my love is. As big as that lake. The distance from here to USA is the mountain. If you go there, the lake does not disappear.... neither does my love. (*sigh*). We spent New Years Eve between the Blue Mosque and Haggai Sophia in the middle of old Istanbul. We listed to the horns from the ships and watched the fireworks and it was magical.
This year's Christmas will be a bit different. My one nephew is now in the army and could soon be deployed to S. Koreal. He will not be here. His father and step-mother have moved out of state to live in TN in the mountains. We will be opening gifts on the Sunday after Christmas because there are so many families who have 2 places to be during the day. I know it will be a wonderful day. My "son" (former 1st grade student) will be here with his two young sons, and I am planning something we have never done.... When people get here at the house and before we eat dinner, they will be handed a slip of paper to write down a blessing or two they have experienced during the year. They will fold them and put them into a basket. We will read the blessings and then have prayer and eat. Packages for the children come next. I am excited.
As far as future Christmases....I know there will be a time when my 86 yr old blind father will not be with us. There will be a time when the kids' kids grow, marry and begin their own families. For me, my dream, my expectation is to be with my husband, Mesut, wherever we can live freely and enjoy each other until one of us leaves this earth.
In saying all this, God bless all my friends reading this. Anastasia, my dear friend and sister, I love you and look forward so much to one day meeting you. Lakis, My good and faithful friend, I wish the same. To all reading this, I pray God's richest blessings on you Christmas and New Year. I pray we seek after and find the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of God's ONLY Son, Jesus who was "gifted to us" in a small shed and manger to grow and one day sacrifice himself for our sins, so we could be raised from the dead, forgiven of our sins, and live with Jesus in Heaven for all eternity. God Bless You all.