Many a message has been spread about seeking the true meaning of Christmas which most know has nothing to do with Black Friday, piles of packages under a tree, or the overeating that comes with holiday gatherings. Each year, I come up with a plan to finish my shopping early so I can lead my family towards the real reason for the season. As the days pass and Christmas quickly approaches, my shopping is still not complete and the many Christmas events I’ve attended still leave me searching for that one clear moment where I can look my children in their eyes and say, "Yes! This is Christmas." But, it doesn’t come. It’s never that clear to me. And sometimes, it comes with a heaviness of failing to make things perfect. Perhaps I’m waiting for a bright star overhead to lead me to a place that I can’t find on Google maps. Christmas day will soon pass and as I collapse on my couch in a living room full of torn wrapping paper and empty boxes, I’ll fault myself
Joey, Allie... This is for you. May these stories be like tiny feathers that will one day drift down out of nowhere, bringing back great memories and smiles. You have brought me true joy with your laughter and song. This is your roadmap back to your youth and my guide home when memories fade. What a blessing it has been! What a blessing it continues to be.