Our first Dixie Christmas was beautiful. It didn’t look much like past Christmas’ but not much of current life does. It was very easy to decorate for Christmas. We purchased a dried up tree at Lowe’s and pulled out all three Christmas boxes. It took about an hour. Highlights this month included our ward party to see the live nativity at Tuacahn and Tony and my date with mom and Dad Lundberg to see the Princeless Bride. It was a wonderful dinner and show and we had a great time with Mom and Dad.
This year Tony and I sang in the ward choir and got to sing three times on Christmas Sunday. Mom and Dad Rippy came to our ward and joined us for Crumble cookies afterward. At the musical fireside that night, Wilson came. Along with the music, it was a nice Christmas gift. Tony spent a Saturday making his famous Rocky Road and now his new nurses are in on the Christmas secret! Tony and I got to meet several lovely couples at a work Christmas party hosted by Mavis Brown in New Harmony, just outside Cedar City. It was the biggest spread of food we have ever seen. Turkey, ham, pie, cake, and everything in between.
We also had a fun double date with the Esplins to the temple in Cedar City. Tony was speeding and got a ticket, so we missed the session and ended up doing sealings instead. I’m so glad we can just let that stuff roll off of us now. I was smart and hired someone to do our Christmas card. That took all the stress off and Tony and I enjoyed doing cards together. Amy came for a night (a wonderful Christmas gift) and joined me at the Christmas RS dinner. I was so impressed at the 1 hour and 7 minute program that included dinner, music and a wonderful Christmas message.
Eliza had her wisdom teeth out on the Monday before Christmas. She did great, but really missed eating all the yummy Christmas food. She was also pretty hilarious under anesthetic, and was worried about the scary fish. Kaleb Kolb came to join us and really helped fill in the hole left by Max and Cooper’s absence. Tony had Christmas Eve off so we played pickle ball and finished last minute shopping.
We spent Christmas Eve at Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathy’s house. We had ribs instead of ham and no pretzel jello, but it was delicious. We had a fun white elephant food gift exchange, read the Christmas story and sang carols. We exchanged gifts and celebrated Grandpa’s birthday-again with the Rocky Road.
Christmas morning was quiet and peaceful. Everyone slept in while Tony and I went for a run. We opened stockings and had a peaceful breakfast. We opened gifts and Santa managed to sneak in a surprise: a Nintendo switch. That meant that the rest of the day was filled with lots of Super Smash Bros. I was able to attend my addiction recovery support group and was able to enjoy the pure gift of Christmas, peace in the midst of pain. We hosted Christmas dinner for the Lundbergs and Tony made a delicious brisquett. Grandma Betty made her famous shrimp salad and Aunt Debbie brought homemade salsa. After dinner we played cards, watched funny videos and exchanged gifts. Tony was so thrilled to be with his family, and it brought back a lot of happy memories of when we were first married.
On Thursday Tony had to go back to work, so the rest of us played pickleball and went to a movie. Deb and I shopped and found a couple of great deals, as usual.
Wilson was given an airline ticket by his birth sister for Christmas. He will be meeting her and his birth father for the first time. He started smoking again, which is exactly what I would have done in his place. We are all praying for the best. He will be in Texas for a week.
We were allowed to give Max a hat and a pair of socks for Christmas We gave him some stance snowboard socks and a Las Vegas Knights hat. His progress is slow and steady. His counselor says he is very very sophisticated at wearing a mask and hiding emotion. He still chooses peer approval over what his heart wants. We miss him so much, but we don’t miss the angry, addicted Max. We miss the wonderful, kind boy that completes our family.
We missed Cooper and Jes too. A couple of days before Christmas Cooper called to “clear the air.” He had been so frustrated because he wants to know the details of Max's situation. Cooper has used secrets as control over us. He has lost some control. We feel it is Max’s story to tell and are holding to it. Cooper was able to apologize and vocalize frustration. I was able to tell him I love him. Ironically, his Christmas package never arrived. I was so frustrated, but have to trust that there was a reason. He got plenty of gifts from Jackie and Fahd, thank goodness.
It was a peaceful, if not a bit subdued, Christmas. We felt the Savior's love this year in the small things.
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