Good morning, Journeyer…

or, depending where you are,

Good afternoon…

Good evening…

or Good middle of the night for all you insomniacs and those who come to this post in the wee hours before sunup because you’re stressing about how to save your marriage, the world, your family, or maybe even yourself…

Today’s edition of this Happy Happens column is all about relationships…

Christmas, for Christians, is about our relationship with Jesus and God, and yet for most of us, it is the bonds with other mortals that consume our months and days leading up to December 25.

This Christmas, Warren, Big Guy, Beauty, and I are spending the holiday season with my side of the family in North Carolina, a rare occurrence in the thirty years since I moved north.

It has been a strange, whirlwind couple of weeks, Journeyer, one comprised of planes, trains, automobiles, and Fave’s postponed surgery that I will now not be attending due to a bizarre, though not surprising, turn of events.

Each day seemed to bring a new set of circumstances and it wasn’t until December 23rd that we learned his surgery was postponed and we could “be home” for Christmas.

I happened to be one of the many thousands of people who were stranded in an airport two days before Christmas because of nasty northeast weather.

I was one of the lucky ones who found a suitable solution: I flew into Raleigh, which had been one of our many possible scenarios during the many changes that happened while we were waiting final word on my son’s surgery schedule…

My niece and nephew, who were still moving things out of their apartment and into their new home dropped what they were doing to come pick me up and prepare a room for me.

Warren and my two youngest cherubs finished packing and checking all the lists twice before making the drive down. I have been eternally grateful for my hubby, who stepped right up and took care of those holiday tasks I hadn’t had time to complete before flying out.

This morning, the six of us curled up on sofas and turned on “Holiday in Handcuffs.” Do you know that all-too-familiar scene where the family is bickering, misunderstandings light up the room, and misfits abound?

That scene is so common that comedians make entire livings off of relationship jokes.

“I feel like a bank where everyone makes withdrawals and no one makes deposits,” one of my family members lamented.

There certainly have been times when I would have identified with that sentiment and recent events had left me feeling pretty depleted.

But if there is one thing I have learned, it is to keep making regular deposits into my account.

Christmas is one piece of emotional currency that fattens my spiritual wallet, Journeyer.

As does spending quality time with family and friends.

Below are just a few of the moments that fed my happy organ this past week.

There are all kinds of people in this life and my heart expanded with each thoughtful/kind/cheerful gesture that came from strangers and loved ones alike.

The American Airlines agent, Bill Small, added to my joy because of his understanding about the difficult travel delays…

And American came through again by getting my bag to me the following day.

I cannot tell you how happy I was to see Warren after nearly two weeks being gone, and our little adopted girl, Patches, seems to be making continual progress!

Big Guy’s first semester at college went well and he was a sight for sore eyes, as was seeing Beauty. Fave and his girl, recently nicknamed Whirrel, were also able to make the trip and hang out for a few hours…

Another nephew and his pregnant wife made the five hour trip to spend a late Christmas dinner with us, after a long day at work.

We spent one evening playing Redneck Life, a game sure to make you pee a little and laugh til your sides nearly split open.

I often avoid shopping during the “holiday” period between Thanksgiving and the New Year because it is hard for me to listen to attitudes and words that are contradictory to the spirit of the season. So I was ever grateful that all of the shoppers and retail clerks we encountered were friendly as they flashed big, bright smiles.

Though my Colorado accommodations were greatly appreciated, I have to say I am so happy to be in a house with family I adore, family who also adores me in return…

Speaking of family and a home, I need to wrap this up and head to bed.

Here’s wishing you and yours a safe end of’the year-New Year celebration week. May you find things to bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

What about you, Journeyer, what deposits did you make into your own Bank of Christmas this past week?

Until we meet again, yours in hope, healing, and happiness,

~AE