Three Days...and Counting.

The JR4J is fast approaching.  In fact, this day, December 16th, 2010, marks the eve of JR4J eve, eve.  Ever since the Smith children were very young we have acknowledged and celebrated the several eves leading up to Christmas eve, the most important eve of all.  These precious few days left to enjoy the Christmas tree (which was taken down on December 26th without fail) and "singing" Santa, were spent scheming about Christmas morning banners, and dreaming about American Girl dolls, noisy electronic swords, puppies named Jessie, various video games, video gaming devices, David Yurman jewelry, fake David Yurman jewelry, and LifeSaver Story Book candies tucked in our stockings from Santa.  This year, on the eve of JR4J eve, eve, I am dreaming about several new things, namely my mother getting onto me for not yet having fully packed, my father getting onto her for making him pack too early, and my sister in law packing cuter clothes than me, but, most importantly, I am dreaming about a different kind of  Christmas this year.  In my dreams I see 8 very pale bodies, and 1 not as pale body, sipping wine, Coke Zero, and Sprite on the decks of the Freedom of the Seas.  I am not worried about the tree coming down, or the fake Yurman, nor am I worried about my bad attitude in the morning, or my little brother waking me up at 5am to see what Santa left for us this year.  Because this year, for the first time in my life, all of the hustle and bustle about the Christmas season has been removed from the day to day, so that I can focus on what is truly important.  Instead of a mind consumed with shopping, chores, wrapping, cookie-baking, and the inevitable "Frank, you shouldn't have gotten this," I am only thinking of a week of relaxation, joy, and merrymaking with the greatest blessing I have ever been given in life, my family.  Imagine, a Christmas free of stress and giblet gravy.  I don't think I have ever been this excited on the eve of Christmas eve, eve, eve, eve, eve, eve, eve, eve, in my entire life.  Well, maybe I have been this excited before, but I certainly haven't appreciated the true reason for the season like I do today.  I appreciate it so much in fact, that I promise to be nice to all of the JRs4J before 8am the entire JR4J.  Now THAT is a Christmas miracle.

I cannot wait to join all of you in just three days.  This is truly going to be a most joyous ride for Jesus.

Love,

Sarah