Holiday blessings

I think this holiday season has been the toughest yet. Money is so tight and getting into the Christmas spirit just wasn't easy this year. I didn't even get my Christmas tree up. What a Scrooge am I! We went to my parent's house to celebrate as we do each year but this year was very special. My cousin invited a gentleman to join us for Christmas which was different but neat. As we sat in the den opening gifts and talking, my youngest sister Meg got up and left the room to get one more gift. She brought in a book and gave it to my mother. This book held all of my grandfather's ( her father's) military records. It was a very touching gift. Then my little sister handed my mother another package. We all waited with bated breath as she opened it. In a case sat all of my grandfather's metals he had earned while in the Marines. Needless to say we all cried. Then my father put a CD in the stereo. It was recording of his father singing "Cheer Up Ye Saints of God" in his best Irish brogue. Again, we all cried and reminisced. Needless to say, I went from having no Christmas spirit to being filled with a different kind of spirit. I could feel the presence of God in our midst and it was a warm feeling. A feeling that all was well and that life is precious. Thank you Lord for giving up little reminders of how much You love us. Merry Christmas to all!!