That’s how Christmas was for me. A bunch of us gathered out at the lake house, and Wendy and Jeremy threw an amazing celebration–including an indoor movie shown on their projector gizmo Christmas Eve–what a kick. It was like being in a theater–at HOME! Bernice went along, and she was pretty flummoxed at first–Margie, the kids’ golden retriever puppy, probably looks like an elephant to her :)–but after a while, she blended in just fine. Wendy’s Dad, Rick Miller, along with his lovely wife, Kathy, were there from Montana, with their little Yorkie, the remarkable Teddy. At five pounds or so, Teddy was taking no guff off anybody–especially not Margie. He drew a line in the sand and dared her to step over it, even though she’s at least five times his size. He sported a Santa hat and a scarf on Christmas morning and enjoyed the opening of presents as much as any human there. Jeremy’s mom, Sheri, was there, too. Mom was missing, but she didn’t feel like braving the snow, and we all understood that.
We feasted on venison sausage and flapbacks at breakfast, with Rick and Kathy doing the cooking, and took our time opening our gifts.
By early afternoon, Bernice and I were plum worn out, and Jeremy chauffered us home, where the kitties were waiting for an accounting of our adventure. Bernice, who hadn’t eaten a bite since the day before, gobbled down a chicken thigh and nestled into her bed in the kitchen to keep an eye on me. For me, supper was canned ravioli (no sympathy, please, I love the stuff), since we’d eaten so much out at the lake.
SOME of my favorite gifts: a year’s scholarship for an African girl to attend school, a bicycle for another girl in Sri Lanka (from Wendy and Jeremy), handmade scarves from Sister Sally, absolutely gorgeous, and an absolute FEAST of pretty paper from Sister Pam, complete with its own carrying case. There were other things, too–the people in my life tend to spoil me.
I like that quality in a person. 🙂
Here’s hoping you and yours enjoyed a very merry Christmas. God sent the best gift of all, over 2000 years ago, in a humble stable at Bethlehem.
For unto us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Be blessed!
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
