August 18 – “Her gift”

Chris’ birthday began with a few presents presentations.  It was kind of a clue reveal to the actual gift.  I will say up front that she did fabulous.  She figured out where I was going with all the gifts long before the end.  Of course that didn’t really help her figure out the actual final gift.  Let me explain.  The first individually wrapped gift was a collection of chains.  That’s all.  Just chains.  Next came a picture frame with photos of the two of us as we celebrated our very first Christmas together.  Next was a frame with a picture of the two of us with all of our grandkids taken this past December.  Then came a small totally black cape.  Any ideas yet?  Next was a small plastic replica of a baked turkey.  She guessed the similarities between all of them by this time, although she did have some difficulty with the cape.  How did you do?  She didn’t even need the last package, which was a copy of the movie A Christmas Carol.  Get it now?  Marley’s chains.  Spirit of Christmas Past.  Spirit of Christmas Present.  Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come (The black cape).  And the turkey Scrooge bought for the Cratchitt family.  So was that all there was to the gift?  Well, no.  See I bought us tickets to see the production of A Christmas Carol at The Grand in December.  We have wanted to see it for several years now.  Happy birthday, Chris.

We also went to lunch with Nathan and Cailyn to The Original, a Mexican food restaurant here on the Island.  April was home sick, and I think Cailyn was feeling some sympathy pains, so she didn’t really eat very much.  Quite the empathetic heart that one has.  Especially for her Mommy.  They were both feeling some better as the day wore on (And as April got some sleep).

Stopping early because, well, because it’s early.  We are leaving in a few minutes to head for a Waco.  Very quick trip to hear the boys up there do a piano recital.  Not a relaxing, calm, quiet day-trip, though.  We are taking along three extra passengers.

Hey, what’s three more grandkids in a house of four already?  Wonder what mischief we can get into …

1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Father, thank you for the work of our fire fighters and paramedics and police officers.  Walk with them every day on shift, and give them peace at home.  Amen.