By Brenna Berger
Our Christmas ended up being part “A Christmas Story” and part “The Santa Clause”. As the kids and I sat in the booth in the Chinese restaurant, I caught the glances from the other patrons. Here in the South, I believe they could best have been translated as “Bless your heart.”
What those other patrons couldn’t have known was that I was incredibly relieved to be splitting the last steamed dumpling three ways. My husband is deployed and this was the third Christmas he’s missed in the past six years. I know other families have most certainly had it worse, but I had wanted so badly to make this Christmas special for my kids.
Instead of staying home, we had headed north to spend the holidays with family. Unfortunately, the winter storm warnings that popped up Christmas morning threw a wrench in my plans for a great day. Instead of leisurely lounging around my parents’ house in Virginia, I suddenly found myself rushing to pack the car in order to make it home before the storm hit. My parents were also trying to beat the storm to get to my sister’s house in Boston.
Of course, nothing is open on Christmas Day, so the kids enjoyed a healthy lunch of Christmas cookies as we made our way down the interstate through the snow flurries, instead of sitting down to a Christmas turkey. By the time I arrived home in North Carolina, I was trying to remember what was in my cupboards that would make a semi-decent meal. I hadn’t gone grocery shopping before I left on my trip and I couldn’t even remember if I had a box of pasta in the house.
Fortunately, the storm held off, so instead of heading straight home, I took a gamble and headed for our favorite Chinese restaurant. I knew it was open on Christmas Eve, so I prayed it was open on Christmas Day. As I turned onto the street, amid all the other dark storefronts, I could see the “OPEN” sign shining in the darkness and the parking lot full of cars. I could have hugged the hostess when she said, “Table for three?”
As I sat there watching my kids, I realized how fortunate we truly were: We had presents under the tree, a safe car to make the trip, and the ability to go to a restaurant and have good hot food. Most of all, my kids are happy and healthy.
Who could ask for more on Christmas—or any other day?
What those other patrons couldn’t have known was that I was incredibly relieved to be splitting the last steamed dumpling three ways. My husband is deployed and this was the third Christmas he’s missed in the past six years. I know other families have most certainly had it worse, but I had wanted so badly to make this Christmas special for my kids.
Instead of staying home, we had headed north to spend the holidays with family. Unfortunately, the winter storm warnings that popped up Christmas morning threw a wrench in my plans for a great day. Instead of leisurely lounging around my parents’ house in Virginia, I suddenly found myself rushing to pack the car in order to make it home before the storm hit. My parents were also trying to beat the storm to get to my sister’s house in Boston.
Of course, nothing is open on Christmas Day, so the kids enjoyed a healthy lunch of Christmas cookies as we made our way down the interstate through the snow flurries, instead of sitting down to a Christmas turkey. By the time I arrived home in North Carolina, I was trying to remember what was in my cupboards that would make a semi-decent meal. I hadn’t gone grocery shopping before I left on my trip and I couldn’t even remember if I had a box of pasta in the house.
Fortunately, the storm held off, so instead of heading straight home, I took a gamble and headed for our favorite Chinese restaurant. I knew it was open on Christmas Eve, so I prayed it was open on Christmas Day. As I turned onto the street, amid all the other dark storefronts, I could see the “OPEN” sign shining in the darkness and the parking lot full of cars. I could have hugged the hostess when she said, “Table for three?”
As I sat there watching my kids, I realized how fortunate we truly were: We had presents under the tree, a safe car to make the trip, and the ability to go to a restaurant and have good hot food. Most of all, my kids are happy and healthy.
Who could ask for more on Christmas—or any other day?
