Last week, Bill was making the rounds at work, wishing people a Merry Christmas, asking about their plans for the holidays.  He talked to a woman about family traditions.  I guess she was a single mom, raising three kids on her own.  She had a rule that the kids couldn’t wake her up until 7 am.  Her kids are older now, but they still hold fast to this tradition, even calling her on Christmas morning at 7 am if they aren’t at home.

She said that the time her son was deployed to Afghanistan, her phone rang right on time.  She heard her son’s voice from halfway around the world asking, “Can I get up now, Mommy?”

*******

OK, if that didn’t bring a tear to your eye, you are a cold-hearted Grinch (perhaps even a communist).  This story about one of Bill’s soldiers down in Tampa should get you.

Coming Home for the Holidays

I hope the Allen family has the most wonderful Christmas this year.

*******

Lastly, my sister picked her husband up from the airport today!  They only have a few weeks, and then he has to go back to Alaska to out-process.  She actually called me from the airport.  I was astounded, but then she explained that she was waiting waiting waiting for the plane to land, so I was happy to pass a few minutes with her to distract her from her impatience.

She confessed to thinking up all sorts of tragedies that might befall her on the way to the airport.  If you have ever been away from your loved one for 6 months to a year, you know what I mean.  It seems so silly, when you’re not the one nervous as all get about about a reunion.

We hung up before the plane landed and I haven’t heard from her since.  Sheesh.  I think I’ll wait until late tonight, and then I’ll start sending her text messages, one right after the other…