A week ago, I took my four-hour drive to watch my young granddaughter perform at her Christmas dance recital. I left home a little later than I planned as I made last minute arrangements to care for my animals. The drive was going smoothly, and it gave me time to reminisce about past Christmas’s with my children.

I could still see the excitement in my children’s eyes as they woke up to see the presents under the tree and the smell of freshly cooked bread filled the air. I thought about my parents coming to enjoy breakfast with us, and watch the children open their presents. I miss my parents. Both are gone now, and I think of them often. My mother passed away eight years ago. I talked with her almost every day on the phone. It was part of my routine, and I miss her sweet voice checking in to see how I was doing. My dad passed away two days before Christmas. That was a hard time of the year for him to die. That was twenty-eight years ago, and I haven’t stopped missing him. He was my hero, my protector and supporting advocate in everything I did in life. I was thirty-eight when he died, and I remember thinking that it could be thirty or more years before I see him again. I broke down and sobbed. Time doesn’t really heal, but I’ve learned to deal with the pain of death and the void you feel in your heart. I filled the void through staying focused on my children, grandchildren, work, and other service organizations.
My reminiscing thoughts stopped as a huge diesel cut in front of me, to pass another truck. I don’t like driving near these huge trucks on the freeway. I looked at the dashboard at the clock. The time was going to be close to make it to my granddaughter’s dance recital. I can’t lose time, but I need patience on the road. I relaxed and said a prayer out loud. “Dear God, please let me make it in time to see my granddaughter dance”. I get about an hour away from the destination and there is a huge traffic jam ahead. Going twenty miles an hour made me very antsy and I tried to stay calm. It was a half hour in the traffic jam and the dance concert was going to start in fifteen minutes. Again, I prayed out loud. “Dear God, I know you can still make it happen where I can still make it in time” I pulled into the parking lot a half hour late, but I made it, and I was grateful. I ran to the door, and some dancers were already on the stage. I saw my granddaughter lined up to go on stage with the other little dancers. I ran to the front row and spotted a seat and quickly sat down. She came on stage, and she happened to stand right across from me. I waved to her in excitement and her little face lit up and smiled back! That filled my heart with joy. If it was even the only dance, I got to see her perform, I was grateful. I said a little prayer in my heart to thank my Heavenly Father for making this happen! I saw Quinn dance a couple more times, and saw her teacher, (my daughter) taking charge at the microphone. Little Nora was with her dad, and she waited until the program was over to run onto the stage. This little three-year-old danced her heart out. I was grateful to see the fun and excitement tonight.
Remember to relax. Let go and let God.
Take time to reminisce about wonderful memories.
Always keep a prayer in your heart and know things will work out.
Always follow with prayers of gratitude.