As the temperature drops quickly from a lovely 74 to about 40 tonight, I am thinking about snow, can’t help it. The wind outside is whipping up like strong and frothy cream and it takes me back to my childhood, and my mom’s favorite poem to repeat to us..”and the north wind doth blow and we shall have snow.” She said it real scary as she blew out loud wind sounds with her words. It always frightened me, and I am not sure if she did that on purpose or not- perhaps it was to quiet us..well-it surely did. Gosh I sure do “love me some snowy blowy nights.”
Both of my very best, most wonderful Christmas gifts came with snow and wintry weather and the promise of Christmas just around the corner. My first real gift of Christmas came in December of 1982. I was a first time mom bringing home a babe wrapped in soft pink blankets… laying next to me in MY mom’s bed, which she graciously gave up for us that winter’s night. As I snuggled with and nursed my sweet newborn, sheets of glistening white snow began to fall outside the window. The ground was soon covered in a white quilt. As tears of joy fell down my cheeks, I listened to my baby’s breathing, in and out, against my chest, and it was heaven on earth to me.
For the two weeks until Christmas day, she and I stayed there under the watchful care of my mom and sister. They tended to us so gently, bringing every meal in to me and loving on my sweet baby while I slept.
The surgery had thrown me for a loop and I did not want to “rest” with my real live baby doll, all I really wanted was to get up and play, but that was not feasible. After about a week I could not stand it anymore, the tough girl in me called my sister in and told her, “we are going to my house and get my Christmas presents, I just have to get out!!” Donna knew I meant business, so she bundled us both up and drove me home. Somehow, together we got everything and made it back in time before mom could catch us, for we knew the nurse in her would not approve!
Christmas came and went that year and I was exhausted, but it was worth every single minute of pain. That year Christmas itself is a blurry memory. My new pink bundle was introduced with all of our gifts, in a tiny red “Santa” outfit. She was the real present that captivated all of our attention….for I truly do not remember any other gift I received that year.
Many years later, 14 to be exact, I found myself with child and due again at Christmas time…. my second gift and “his” entrance to be told in my next story.
There are not adequate words to describe the particular type of unconditional love I feel for my children. I can only imagine it must be comparable to the infinite love my Father in heaven has for each of us, yes, I believe it is close to that. Thank you Lord for my two precious gifts and for your love.
“…Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3
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