Christmas 2020 was different - as most of the year has been - but it came and went just like any other.
THE TRIP
I fetched my mom last Wednesday and brought her to our house. The trip there was fairly miserable. It rained most of the way, and a stretch of I-80 was a total downpour! There were also a couple accidents in the Chicago area that slowed things down considerably. So I didn't arrive at my mom's until well after dark.
The trip back to Fort Wayne the next day was actually in RECORD TIME for me!! My mom and I made it in 3 hours and 55 minutes! Four hours flat was the previous record. It's about 270 miles, so we averaged right about 70 mph - which includes going thru several towns on route 30 and a boatload of stoplights.
It is interstate for just about half the trip, and I maintained a fairly steady 79 mph. In the Chicago area I did get closer to 90 when traffic was flowing such. It also helped that we didn't stop at all - no potty breaks, no traffic snarls, and only one toll to pay. That's about the least traffic I've ever encountered on this route.
CHRISTMAS EVE/FAMILY
We traditionally open presents on Christmas Eve. We did again this year, but it was the first time Isaac and Ricci weren't home. They stayed in Atlanta due to virus concerns, dog-sitting issues, etc. So you can see from this pic that they were present via video (google meet). It was not ideal, but better than nothing.
I struggled with whether to have my mom join us. If my dad hadn't just died I probably would have suggested she not, but I don't think anyone wanted her to be alone this Christmas. So I hoped for the best that the two of us and the Feipels would be safe enough. I had to cringe at seeing the size of some family gatherings on social media. I guess it is what it is.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas morning we made the traditional trek to the Feipel's where Carrie made us breakfast. We were also joined by mutual friend, Scott. He's basically part of the family, and even though it was more than one household gathered together, aside from my mom we all see each other regularly. I guess it was as safe as we could be.
PRESENTS
I was blessed with some practical gifts this year. I had the Woodstock album before, but it disappeared somewhere along the line. I feel it's just one of those someone like me should have in their record collection. Seeing the Y shirt and hat strikes me now as somewhat ironic since I hate working there, but I can wear the shirt to work (on Fridays at least), and I can always use a hat. The bottle of Eagle Rare 10 Year bourbon is supposed to be good. I'm no connoisseur, but it seemed alright to me! I also include Jane's cooking as a gift, and enjoy all the leftovers from holidays such as this.
I bought her the usual Ansel Adams calendar, along with a new-ish Max Lucado book. I didn't know anything about it, but figured Max is someone we haven't read in a long time, and he has always seemed to be good for the soul. I can't really remember what the kids got her (sorry, I'm at work).
All in all, it was a good time. It was cold enough to keep food in the garage, it snowed most of Christmas Day but it didn't stick, and was otherwise nice weather for the end of December.
Jane is taking my mom back home today and will return tomorrow. She has the whole week off. Since Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Friday I have two three-day workweeks in a row. So, next Monday... the 'big suck of winter' begins. Until then...
***
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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