Waking up this morning on a cold yet foggy Tuesday morning in the land of my college football enemy, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Just one week before Christmas Day there is little evidence of red and green, it's all crimson. Let me tell you, under most circumstances this would have me ill. An LSU fan staying a mile from the Alabama campus; yet, I have survived. I actually think I have made peace with the fact that I will be expecting Alabama to beat Notre Dame in the national championship game!
Enough about Alabama other than to say this is how far we made it yesterday on our return trip home. We had one last opportunity to watch Calvin Monday morning so we did not hit the road until 10 a.m. The weather forecasts were not good yet we did not have any problems at all. We actually made it to Tuscaloosa a little past 5 pm. We are 4 and a half hours from home and could have pushed through but we were dog tired and needed a nice sit down meal. It was the right decision.
Soon we will eat some breakfast, hit the interstate and make it back to home sweet home. As I mentioned in a facebook post, even though we already are missing our Calvin, even though our thoughts are still mostly lingering with those wonderful five days just spent with our little man, we have no choice but to carry on, to move forward. Before I swith that gear can I tell you how unexpectedely amazing I love this grandparent thing. Even though our little man is 800 miles away, living with two amazing parents, we feel so close. Between my wife and I this was our 4th trip to North Carolina since his September 6th birth. We both made it for the week of his birth, Wendy returned for a two week stint in October, I had a three day weekend in November and then these past five days. He is big and strong and healthy and beautiful and our joy! Thanks to my children, we also skype with Calvin every week; so much fun!
Ah, the week ahead. This was mu first week long vacation since joining my new bank so I'm ready to see what challneges are ahead. Additionally, my poor wife has been working many hours of overtime as year end deadlines loom for her accounting clients. Work will be tough for both of us. But then that which gives me great joy: my ministry. I have the joy of returning to Rayburn prison this week, no, not for our normal services; this will be the annual Christmas party. I have my 4th and final December wedding this month; Friday night when I witness the vows of two young people I knew from CCD and friends of my daughter. That is always so cool. Then comes weekend Mass followed by a pretty important Baptism and a house blessing. My ministry is always soooo rich!
Guess I better move along soon. I'm anxious to get back to the land of purple & gold! This crimson thing is gonna be tough but it will be SEC all the way for this southern boy.
I love me some Calvin; I love my family. In these days where we have witnessed so much sadness and tragedy for the families in Connecticut, I am so much more aware of these realities. It was driven home all the more in the precious visit with a 3 month old little boy. So Calvin, thanks for being a source of great joy, we will see you on the phone this weekend!!
No comments:
Post a Comment