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Rocking The House...With Christmas Music and a Diamond!



My family is an "ALL IN" kind of Christmas.  Although we never had much money...Mom made it fun.  Thematic Christmas decorations.  

The kitchen was a disaster and the kid sized island that she designed was just right for lots of sugar cookies to be decorated by whomever she could bring in.  Frosting, sprinkles on the cookies and the girls.  Flour fights happened occasionally.  We made candy and mints and cookies.  All the while "Rocking to Christmas Music" usually the old country kind.

But that's on the inside.  Outside we climbed haystacks, snow ball fights and pulled kids around with the horses on old car hoods or sledding in the hills.  Once in a while we skated and had a huge bonfire.

But the best Christmas of all was the one in 1988 as I waited for David to come and see me during college break.  My family had all gone somewhere and a few friends had stopped by.  

My heart stopped when I heard him drive in with his old green mercury.  I ran to greet him and he brought in a pile of beautifully wrapped presents for me.  (His Mom had shopped and wrapped I know now!)  I couldn't figure out why he was acting so anxious and seemed increasingly frustrated that my friends wouldn't leave.  (I think they were worried about him!)  

But when they did I began opening my presents and was a little overwhelmed.  I can remember many vividly.  My favorite ever pink sweater with sparkles throughout.  Perfume and jewelry and little fun things.  

But then he pulled me on his lap and had one last present....my wedding ring!  It was beautiful.  Simple.  I couldn't wait to put it on and I wore it until it wore out.  It is still my most treasured possession.  So with my new diamond ring on my hand, we danced to the old country Christmas playing in the kitchen.

So last night while making supper and listening to Christmas music; my husband brought that same flutter to my heart as he danced with me to Christmas music in spite of the rolling eyes of our sons.

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