December 14th Part Two

Kath and I parted ways with Kelly, who was going to my place to have some much needed quiet time, and Di and Shannen after the Hanna’s Town program, leaving the two of them still chatting with the presenters.  I overheard Shannen telling someone she had a Coke can with the Santa on it – so there was a lot of excited chatter.  But Kath and I headed out Home, as today was the annual Skunk Hollow Girls Christmas Party Fest.  We were going to celebrate this year at Colleen’s house, one of the further trips we make for our events.  Colleen and her husband Larry live in the old farmhouse of Larry’s family, and still run the farm with dairy cows and crops.  But I should clarify.  When I say old, that only refers to longevity of ownership.  The farmhouse is absolutely beautiful!  Every corner and facet of the place has been updated and renovated, until it would rival any magazine spread on the market today.  The kitchen/dining room has a table that easily held the 11 of us without crowding. Holly was at a wedding, and of course Susan was celebrating Christmas with the angels, and Jesus himself! 

We were blessed with a tour, where every corner held pine and candles and twinkling lights, quaint snowmen and centuries of Santas and toys and photos.  Even the framed pictures on the walls reflected and holiday and the season.  I think Beth had her eye on the one in the entrance hall that said about all roads lead to Grama’s house.  I hope it was still there when we all left….  Such a comfortable, welcoming home, perfect in every way, a great place to gather and be thankful for our blessings and each other.  Colleen’s parents, Uncle Clifford and Aunt Joan, live right up the road, and she invited them down to share the evening.  As we sat there around the table, in the waning dusk we could see light snow falling, coating the ground with a light layer of white.  I had to fight down the nervous edge about driving home, especially the first 20 miles on rural, unlit, isolated roads.  “I can’t think about that today.  I’ll go crazy if I do.  I’ll think about that tomorrow.”  (Quote from Scarlet O’Hara, Gone with the Wind.)   

We gathered around the Christmas tree to take a group picture, one including both AJ and UC, and one that UC took for us of all the girls, including AJ. (Left ot right:  Kathy, Gail, Colleen, Aunt Joan, Connie, Gwen, Karen V, Karen O, Me, Uncle Clifford.  Beth replaces UC in the second photo) It was a wonderful evening with those we love most in the whole world, in a place that is as dear to us as our own home (Home!).  It’s always hard to leave, and since everyone else was local, Kath and I had to pull ourselves away from the festivities to make our way home the 60 miles to Greensburg.  Post Script:  Roads were fine, but the threat of deer and snow kept us at a pretty slow pace until Indiana!  Already looking forward to our spring event, but as for this, it was at the top of our Christmas favorites – sharing thoughts and laughs and food and faith.  Love you guys!