And now ... the rest of the story

This is probably TMI, but if my last blog seemed a little "Hallmark-y," here is the rest of the story.

My memories, of the whole holiday were not diminished by any glitches. Any time with family is precious. Yes, the week was a happy, noisy house full of family but that meant that Marty spent 4 hours in the clinic the day before getting meds, shots, inhaler because of bronchitis and onset of pnemonia. I went to the clinic the morning of their arrival for the same symptoms. That meant my 79 year old parents, whose plane was delayed 4+ hours traveled across the country to be with all of us ... sat in the Cleveland airport all day, making friends with other stranded travelers, playing cards and eating junk food. That meant my sister (with 2 broken feet) was delayed 6+ hours in the middle of her connecting flights with almost no hope of making it all the way in that night and very rude airline employees. That also meant Marty made 2 trips to the airport within 2 hours to get the weary travelers in. Also in the mix, was a trip to the ER and overnight stay in the hospital with my dad because of a pain in his neck and left shoulder. Real troopers, the day after Christmas in the ER not in your home town is a bit unnerving - my dad checked out ok even with his history of open heart surgery and a pacemaker. The stay in the hospital with extensive tests meant my parents missed their original flight out, re-booked on an afternoon flight ... and that flight was cancelled. All packed up and ready to be home, they stayed one more night with us. That also meant that Brian, Julie, Scott, Holley, Abby and Grant still made lots of time around their schedules and in law families, travels, colds. We so appreciate all the time and effort that everyone made to be together.

There is always "the rest of the story." What I remember is the meals together, the laughter, the candlelight Christmas Eve service (with truly choirs of angels heralding the birth of Christ) the games, the wonder and delight of children ... that it was a nice week celebrating Christmas with everyone.