Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve Post

In a few short hours, my kids and I will be in church with Janet and Rob; their church is a simple one, with old wooden pews that have been burnished with years of sliding into them, standing up, kneeling. It will be dark outside, so the sun can't shine in through the stained glass windows, but there will be candles and the secret smell of people congregating to celebrate this season. We will pray and sing, and I will go to the front and kneel to have that smooth, sweet wafer placed on my tongue, and I will stay there for a moment with my head bowed in gratitude and humility.

Tonight we will be at Steve's, and we will eat dinner-we have a tradition now, of smoked pork chops and snack foods and, of course, milk and cookies-and watch a Christmas movie of some sort before the kids are all reluctantly tucked into bed. Tonight, too, I will be able to set out presents; presents sent to us by people I don't even know and people whom I know and love, all because of this crazy blogging thing I started a year or so ago. There will be the coveted Easy Bake Oven for Sam from Santa, complete with an apron that Jacquie decorated for him and several additional mixes-paid for with gift cards sent by some of you. There will be candy, and stocking stuffers, and gifts under the tree in amounts they have quite literally never seen before. I truly do not have the words to let every one of you know how thankful I am for all of you-the surprise and wonder on all the kids' faces has been a sight to see, and I wish every one of you would be able to be there to see what you have given them. Given us.

It isn't about the presents; it is about people who have reached out and showed us love and support. People who have, in my opinion, gone out of their way to be of service to someone else. To us. Not because they feel sorry for us, not because they pity us, but because they simply want to make it better for us this year. I know some of my readers don't believe in God or a Higher Power of any kind, and that is okay-but to me, this is evidence that God works in my life. You can't know how much of a relief it has been to not have to have the constant, gnawing worry about money always there. You can't know just how huge it has been to be able to take time off for the ongoing situation with Hannah and have to count the financial cost; you can't know how overwhelmed and grateful I feel for the fact that this huge group of people has made it so I can clearly concentrate on being there for my family in the midst of the turmoil and uncertainty of things.

And tonight, I will say a prayer for every one of you. That your holiday will be as blessed and full as mine will be, that you go to bed feeling peace and joy and wonder. That you will rest in the knowledge that there are a lot of really, really good people out there, and that you are not alone. I will pray for certain ones of you to have a moment or two of true grace, for others to have blessed, much needed solitude, for one in particular to have really great, impregnating-type sex. I pray for the babies growing in several of you right now, and for the kids some of you already have. And for each one of you, I pray for you to feel just the tiniest bit of what I am feeling today, and know that you are loved.

And this? THIS is for April.
Happy Holidays!!!!!!

26 comments:

MarĂ­a said...

((hugs))

TnAHurst said...

As I was reading it made me tear up! Merry Christmas give each Kid a hug from me! I love you as a person, friend, and co-worker!

Tenakim said...

What a nice post. Glad you will have a fabulous Christmas and have some of the worry gone, if just for a day! Merry Christmas to you and your kids!

hugabug1 said...

Okay, that first paragraph? THAT is the reason I think you will be a success as a writer. I read that and actually felt that I was there with you.

I'm so happy that you can have a bit of peace regarding your kids' Christmas and your financial situation. I've really wanted that for you after such a difficult year. I hope the new year will bring you joy and comfort and justice.

Florinda said...

Just wanted to wish you and your family a very happy holiday - enjoy!

Julie said...

Aww, you made me cry! Beautiful post. I am so happy that your Christmas is so special this year and that you are so blessed. Love you too!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Tara R. said...

I hope you have a wonderful, wonder-filled and blessed Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!

Rachael said...

Merry Christmas Kori! Sounds like it is going to be amazing, and I'm so happy for that! You deserve it, and so do the kiddies.

Julie@My5monkeys said...

((((HUGS))) Merry Christmas to you too.

Zoeyjane said...

I'm happy that you sound so happy. You deserve that. You all do. Happy Christmas.

FreedomFirst said...

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. As for us, I will be happy if we just all stay home and sleep in. Mark badly needs a day off, poor guy.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Kori! I hope you all have a wonderful New Year and that your dreams of writing and a house for your family all come true.

Lynn said...

Merry Christmas to you and all the kids Kori. I hope it is full of peace and joy.

Hugs to you.

won said...

You made me cry...but the tears were so close to the surface anyhow.

Thanks for the prayers...

I am so glad for you, that life seems to be cutting you some break, showing you some grace.

I am a bit envious too.

Soon, my son will leave. My daughter already in heaven. You know what kind of horrible Christmas surprise I awoke to; I wrote about it in my blog.

I feel so fucking all alone...I want to jump...and then I remember...I live on the ground floor.

So again, I will only wish you a "Happy Thursday."

Melissa said...

Merry, Merry Christmas to you!

You deserve such blessings. :)

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas - I hope it brings you much love and joy in 2009!
~K

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Kori. To you and yours.

Mama Smurf said...

Bringing me to tears again.

Merry Christmas, Kori. To you and your family. I wish I could've been a fly on the wall in your home this morning.

Unknown said...

Dear Kori, I am so happy and amazed by your post and your love and gratitude for all that is happening and hope that your christmas has been joyful and full of love and peace!

Love
G

Anonymous said...

I hope your day was grand. Merry Christmas. :)

Matt Pfingsten said...

Merry Christmas, Kori! I wish all the best to you and your family!

Martin said...

:-)

April said...

Thanks for that :)
I'm so thrilled you had such a great Xmas. I love you.

HalfAsstic.com said...

Merry Christmas sweetie! I hope you and yours had a very very merry one!
AND a blessed new year!

Jennifer said...

Hope you had a great Christmas Kori!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Kori. Just wanted to wish you and your family and belated Merry Christmas. I hope it was magical for all.