A Christmas Miracle

"Cottage on the Water"

I do hope your Christmas was a blessed as mine. I got more than I expected to receive in many ways. Santa came and took away my stomach virus to start the day off right. I went to work in a very good mood that lasted all day. The store was as busy as I expected and then some. Everyone was in the Spirit of the Season and there were several "thank God you guys are open you really saved my ass" moments during the day. As the day wore on and on there were some challenges to be met but we had enough staff and handled all that came at us and still maintained the store as it should be. We had to go to another store in our group to get more stuff that kept running out, you would not believe the run we had on Coca Cola, at one point we were down to single cans and 20 oz bottles before we got another couple of dozen cases of twelve packs from the other store. It was crazy, it was fun, it was exhausting. When I finally left around 4 PM, I was satisfied with all that had been accomplished today by everyone. A surprised me with a gift which was totally unexpected but very nice in addition to being able to purchase his car on such reasonable terms. We had gotten fresh baked Apple and Pecan pies in overnite so I brought one of the Pecan pies home along with some Blue Bell Home Made Vanilla ice cream. After all what good is warm Pecan Pie without the a la' mode? (lol) When I got across the street to the apartments I decided to check the snail mail box as it was still daylight out and the best thing about this Christmas was in the box in a blue envelope obviously having been delivered either Tuesday or Wednesday since I had last checked it on Monday.

Now what could be in that blue envelope that eclipsed all the other events of the day? It was a simple Christmas card, but it was from my Mother. I almost cried on the way up the stairs. It contained some news notes and updates and was signed Love Mother. Now all of you out there who have wonderful relationships with their Mothers may not grasp the significance of such a simple thing as a Christmas card causing tears and unbound joy. However those long time readers of Nichevo know of the struggle I have had family wise so this was a major step forward. As the first communication I have received from my Mother since Christmas of 2006, just the simple acknowledgement that I do exist in her world was enough to get me teary eyed and encouraged enough to make a phone call to her. Unfortunately she was not home so I had to leave a message. At least I called letting her know I indeed got her card and gladly so. That was ever so much more than I expected yet in the simplicity and beauty of the message warmed up the cold spot in my heart where my family usually resides through their choice not mine. I do not know if we will ever have a true adult relationship, but I have at least the hope of less animosity to cling to. This is the Season of Hope and my Hope has been renewed.

Now that Christmas is over except for the shouting, I thought you guys might like a really hot edition of Friday Night Fantasies to close out this year. Next Friday will be next year and we will have to search the archives for something totally hot to start off the new year right. You guys have a fabulous weekend and we will check back in on Monday. Until next time as always, Enjoy!