The Campfire Trail: December 24 - DIY Homestead - Hopes for a Wonderful Christmas

December 24, 2022

Day 449 of the Adventure

I think I need to continue with the "Downsizing Series", but for now, It's Christmas Eve and it's okay to take a break from economic preparedness ramblings. We've been "off the reservation" so to speak for a few days but it's coming close to an end. A visit to the "Way out West" was in store for us this Christmas. The timing was not our doing but the visit to see our daughter and granddaughter for Christmas was certainly welcome. Life has unexpected twists and turns. Our trip to Nevada involved one of those. In some ways, we have a transition experience happening right now involving our daughter. Time will tell exactly how this story will run its course. I'm grateful that our family has many of the Christmas traditions present, alive and well as we enter this season. Much of the surface hype of Christmas does not motivate our traditions. We are very content with the simple traditions of being together. That can happen on Christmas or not and it does not devastate our live when it doesn't. Still, when possible, a Christmas Eve bowl of hot Oyster Stew lets us all experience a tradition going back beyond sixty years in our family. Possibly well beyond sixty years. The true meaning of Christmas is not lost on us either and that alone makes it easier to not get lost in the seasonal hype. An appreciation of seeing festive lights conjures up memories of childhood Christmases. Seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of the smallest of family members makes the time spent under any circumstance, more special. The circumstances this year are difficult ones, but the memories will be long-lasting and ultimately sweet. It's a Christmas that will be looked back upon as the first meeting of grandchildren with grandparents. Regardless of any other outcome, that alone was special. this year we look forward to the hope of peace, comfort and safety in a way we have not hoped for before or had needed before. It's a new step of faith for all involved and one, that given our faith in the goodness of God, will produce wonderful results.