I never thought Christmas would be one of the hardest days of the year for me. A day that always brings joy, laughter, love, cheer, excitement, snow, family, friends, music, and food today it brings tears and grief. This seemed like an extra special Christmas to miss because it’s the first Christmas without my grandma and all my siblings and their spouses and kids were there. I was the only one not there. You never know how blessed you are until you experience a time without all those blessings around you. Blessings come in all shapes and sizes and this year my blessings look like my WR team, Vietnam, an Airbnb apartment and a simple Christmas dinner. I’m over 8,000 miles away from home and family and yet the Miracle of Christmas is the same here as it is there. The celebration looks completely different but the truth is the same.
Christmas is simple.
Christmas is beautiful.
Christmas is joy.
Christmas is a baby.
This year, I get to celebrate Christmas without all the distractions of the fluff of Christmas. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE all the fluff of Christmas and I already can’t wait to start listening to Christmas music in October, looking at lights, decorating the tree, making a bazillion Christmas cookies and desserts and buying my family presents. But this year is sweet in that I’m able to celebrate Christmas in the simple adoration of the birth of my Lord and Savior. Because even when I don’t feel it, the reason for this special season never changes. Our circumstances and surroundings may change but the beauty and simplicity of Christmas never does. Even in my tears of missing spending Christmas with my family this year, I know it will make Christmas next year all the merrier. And besides, for the rest of my life now I’ll be able to tell everyone I spent Christmas 2019 in Nam!
I’m not going to lie and I’m not going to sugar coat it, Christmas was really hard for me this year. Even harder than I thought, but it did have some sweet memorable moments. Christmas Day this year was waking up at 6am and sitting in the hallway of our apartment to FaceTime my family on their Christmas Eve to be apart of watching the grandkids open their presents. My Christmas breakfast included Christmas music, oranges, eggs, bacon and coffee. An afternoon of more Christmas music, facial sugar scrub, no bake cookies (that taste more like butter than cocoa) watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Christmas List, naps, blogging, and card games. My team and I finished the evening with a homemade dinner of mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken and bread with real butter. For dessert we had a vanilla cake that Jeff bought at a bakery. After dessert we played dirty Santa with gifts wrapped in toilet paper. I ended the evening FaceTimeing my family again as they were all just arriving for Christmas Day breakfast. It’s strange that I FaceTimed them twice in the same day for me but for them it was two days.
While the World Race may have stolen all my Christmas traditions I’ve treasured for the last 24 years, it didn’t steal my awe of my Savior’s love for me who came as a baby to die to give me the best gift of all—eternal life. I hope for everyone who checked off another traditional Christmas from their calendar experienced the same awe of Jesus’ birth as I did.
Beautifully written Khurry?? You always have such simple messages with such profound meaning. You have been such a beautiful soul to follow on this journey. Keep seeking and finding Him in the small things so that you can continue to share your treasures with the world, not only where you are but also where we are. God bless you, Khurry.
Much love and many prayers,
Momma Wier
Awww Khurry, you brought me to tears. I know this Christmas was very hard for many, didn’t even seem like it at all in my household, but despite the extra stuff the simplicity of celebrating the true meaning. Next year will bring out a different perspective for many of us. I’m so thankful for you and that you were there to celebrate with a Haley, even with the annoying Justin Bieber music you got to listen to,lol. Love you!
Let the joy of the Savior’s birth ring in new everyday of your life. Christmas brings revival that Jesus was, is and is to come…our only hope. Only she who finishes the race will receive the crown..,,
Hey sweet friend! I’m sorry I have been out of touch. As you know my dad passed away, and in all honesty I’ve been pretty out-of-sorts with going through all of that plus trying to manage getting ready for Christmas. I apologize, but I have thought of you and prayed for you often.
Thank you for sharing and being honest about Christmas. I’m sorry that it was an exceptionally hard time for you. I also can relate, just in a different way. You’re honest words, are a good reminder that Jesus is the only true constant in our lives. Nothing else is certain nor does it matter in comparison to the truth that our Savior brings to our lives on the daily. I’m so proud of your tenacity in this race. It doesn’t come without reward. Your reward is being held for you in Heaven and it will be incredible! We all miss you in Oklahoma, but we are cheering you on in prayer and in spirit! Keep running your race! You can do it! Love you Khurry!
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Thank you for your honesty in sharing about Christmas and for not sugar coating it. I know your family missed your presence more than mere words can say, and they cherished hearing from you on both days! I appreciate also, your sharing photos. The birthday cake for Jesus is a beautiful memory of Christmas 2019. Thank you for the reminder that the sacrifice of time together with family at the holidays pales in comparison to the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us. God bless you!