Christmas with the Family

How I remember a number of years ago

When for Christmas I was so determined to go home.

Of my siblings, I lived the furthest away

And had the longest trip to come home for Christmas Day.

As time drew near for me to make the long drive

I kept an eye on the pending weather outside.

With relief I saw the ground and roads looked clear

With no hint of a snowstorm to fear.

Then the phone rang; it was my loving but worried mom

Telling me it was snowing there and to not venture out; to not come.

“But the weather looks fine here and I’m already packed to go.

I will be alright,” I told her, “for here there isn’t any storm or snow.”

Then my brother jumped on the phone

And spoke in a sterner tone,

“Don’t come,” he warned, “for it is snowing like blazes here.”

“Well, I’m still coming,” I retorted, “for it is not snowing here.”

I was so determined to go home

And not spend this Christmas all alone.

I jumped in my car and sped on my way;

I was determined to be with family on Christmas Day.

I traveled the first half of my journey

With no troubles and no worries.

The roads were fine and clear

I felt I had nothing to fear.

But soon, just as I was warned,

I had finally caught up to the storm.

Roads became slick as snow dotted the ground.

Becoming concerned, I carefully slowed down.

With each city and town I traveled to,

The journey was more treacherous as I drove through.

I crossed the state line from Minnesota into Wisconsin;

Now my trek was two-thirds done.

Cautiously I had crossed the Mississippi River

While praying for God to guide me in this wintry weather.

Much to my dismay, the road conditions were worsening

As I slowed even more at each turn and each road crossing.

Finally, I was in the last leg with just one more town to go

And then soon I would be with family and safe at home.

But oh my, oh my, what a blinding surprise

Met my weary and strained eyes.

Now the road was so covered in thick snow

That I no longer could see where to go.

I sighed and teared and desperately prayed

For God to keep guiding me and showing the way.

Boldly, yet cautiously I followed by memory

Keeping track of the familiar landmarks that I could see.

I’d recognize a house, a barn, or a line of trees

And recall where the road used to be.

No one else was traveling on the road

I was on this journey feeling all alone.

Carefully, cautiously I continued on

Not letting my eyes become distracted for long.

I needed to keep my focus on the unseen road

Or else I would be lost and stuck in the mounting snow.

Somehow, God was there steadily leading me

And calming me with his quiet company.

I reached the last town, quiet and still

No one was around as a chilly silence there prevailed.

Sort of a creepy feeling with no one in sight

But I knew everyone was staying warm inside.

Finally, I reached the last road leading to the old farm

And soon pulled into the driveway facing the old red barn.

Most of the family was gathered on the porch

Greeting each other and elated beyond words.

For through the storm we all had come

And now were together and safe at home.

My sister-in-law was first to warmly greet,

“how are you?” as she held the door for me.

“Hooray, she’s here,” my young niece jumped,

“Now we can play ‘Leopard Hunt’.”

We enjoyed a savory celebration feast

And then gathered around the Christmas tree.

The gifts and the tearing wrapping paper are a blur to me

But what I recall the most is the love of family.

Later, my mother sat in her chair all alone

And not forgetting all that God has done.

She knew the story of Jesus’ miraculous birth

To show God’s love to us all on earth.

But now, she replied quietly to me,

“God was here; don’t you think, don’t you see?

He indeed gave us another miracle today

When he brought you home safe for Christmas Day.”